Price £1.30 the Issue 41... Winter/`Spring 2011

Strathblane, Blanefield, Mugdock, Carbeth, Auchineden (circulation 1000) [email protected]

Inside

• Zebra crossing: residents take action • Balfron High School reunion • Three villages of the parish – Netherton • Irish in Strathblane • WHW ramblings • GR for GBR in triathlon championships • Stable chat – 40th anniversary • Tall ship adventure • Maps ask questions • Guiding centenary – more pictures 1 The Village Club: our Centenary Year Willie Oswald We would very much like to hear of the Committee of Management memories of anyone who lived at the Club. Pictures of the past Please make contact directly with the lsewhere in this issue you will read writer. he Blane would like to give good about the Village Club Centenary In our endeavour to make the Club coverage to the centenary and celebrations (see page 12). These fit for its second century we are seeking Twe would like to have photos to Ewill not happen in a vacuum. funding for upgrading the kitchen and cover the 100 years. Please send us The Committee of Management has carpark. Grant applications, as some of your pictures showing events at the formed a centenary working party. This is you will know, can be like venturing into Village Club, old and more recent. to share the work load. We anticipate that uncharted territory. The language can be the bulk of the activities will be arranged opaque and the goalposts keep changing! by individual organisations. We would appreciate help in this task. When the Club was first opened, there The Committee of Management would Apology was a residential caretaker. This continued welcome the addition of a younger person Mike Fischbacher, Editor for more than seventy years. There was (or persons) of vision, energy and time to augment the current committee. also only ONE WC for the whole premises! know that many of you have missed the Blane these past few months and I would like to apologise for not producing the All change at the pharmacy DecemberI issue. This was because of some personal circumstances and I hope that we Village pharmacist retires can get back on to an even keel now with this edition. Laura Nicolson I hope it will not seem too jaded – by that I mean that some of the articles n my retirement as the village pharmacist I would might appear a little out-of-date. We have like to thank all our customers for their faithful not wanted to ask our contributors to loyalty over the past twenty years. It was a privilege completely rewrite them, although we have Oto be part of such an active community and I shall forever given them that opportunity if they wished. treasure the friendships which were formed during that So please be understanding with them and time.Your cards, kind messages and generous gifts for my with us at the Blane. retirement were greatly appreciated. I would also like to apologise to any of I would like especially to thank Maureen who has you whom we have let down with missed been with us from the start and Frances who has been deadlines for events. We feel very much the our locum pharmacist for the past twelve years. I was very responsibility to support all of you and do lucky indeed to have two such outstanding colleagues not like failing you in this way. whom I shall miss very much. Thanks also to all those We are very grateful to those of you who helped out over the years - Linda, Ellen, Mary, Rena, who have been kind enough to continue to Jenny and Irene. support us financially even when we did I would also like to thank all surgery staff in both Strathblane and Killearn for not deliver on our commitment. It is greatly their help and co-operation over the years. We enjoyed very good working relationships. appreciated. Thanks also to Kenny at Killearn Pharmacy for his friendship and assistance. My successor at the pharmacy is Mike Hutchison whom many of you will have already met and I wish Thank you him every success for the future. Nina would like to thank everyone for Finally, I shall miss their kind gifts, cards and flowers on you all but shall keep in retirement from the Post, especially touch through the Tennis her colleagues Cameron, David, Club and village events. Jamie and Gary.

ike Hutchison is Edenkiln the new owner and Pharmacist, Surgery news takingM over from Laura. He is married to Emma and they have a daughter, Lucy (4) and a son, Douglas (1). He is originally from Mike Hutchison (above left) is based at Clackmannan while Keith in NE Scotland Louis Miller is the new pharmacist. and now lives in Alloa. He qualified from Robert Gordon University as a pharmacist 10 years ago and has run his own pharmacy in fter 10 years service to the community, Clackmannan for the last 3 years. Outside work his interests are mainly based round Awe are sorry to say goodbye to Dr. training for and running in marathons. David Pugh who left the surgery at the end He says, “I am really looking forward to providing pharmacy services to the people of of September 2010. We would like to thank Blanefield/Strathblane and surrounding area and would like to thank everyone for being him for his contribution to the village and so friendly and welcoming since I took over from Laura Nicolson.” wish him all the best in his new endeavours. Louis Miller has been appointed as manager and is already settling in and getting to Dr. Jill Carmichael and Dr. Gill know his customers. By the time you read this, the shop will have been refitted and, as Louis McLean remain G.P. partners and look said, “will include a consultation room and we will be offering a lot more NHS services. forward to working within the community These will include the Minor Ailments Service, Chronic Medication Service, Smoking in the future at Edenkiln Surgery. Cessation, Emergency Contraception, Bone Health Screening, Alcohol Awareness and possibly Erectile Dysfunction and Antimalarial prescribing (to be confirmed). As a The next issue will be in June community pharmacy, for the community, if anyone has any suggestions on what they 2011. The deadline for articles is would like us to stock or on any other matters, Maureen and I will be very open to them.” 20 May 2011. 2 Stirling Council have rejected the request Zebra Crossing: residents take to install a traffic light. They “recognise that drivers and action because of safety fears pedestrians have difficulties at the Zebra Christine Baume pedestrian crossing” but based on a site investigation they maintain a Zebra n December 2010, a group of concerned for overtaking when cars were crossing IS appropriate. Although they parents, made an appeal to Stirling stopped to allow pedestrians to state that there is nothing to suggest that Council to install a traffic light- pass. installing a signalled crossing would controlledI crossing on the A81 Glasgow • This junction is the main address the problems at this crossing they Road at the traffic beacons between pedestrian route used by do agree improvements are necessary. Kirkhouse Road and Kirkburn Road. children who live on the north/ They propose to upgrade the beacons to east side of the village to go to use LED flashing units, refresh all road The arguments for replacing the and from the primary school. markings and a few other minor upgrades. existing Zebra crossing were based on the It has proved near impossible Many residents of Strathblane strongly following concerns: to secure a “Lollipop Person” disagree with their proposal and feel it to patrol the crossing: the last should be contested! person only lasted 6 weeks before resigning because she How can you help? • The speed and volume of the found it too dangerous. traffic in this areaMany makevehicles it Sign a petition: We have started dangerousdo not stick for to pedestriansthe legal speed to a petition and there are copies in the crosslimit the of 30road. mph, and some Chemist and Browns. In order to cover drive at crazy speeds. Research as many people as possible we are also has shown that crossings of going door-to-door to petition. If you the existing type cannot be do not receive a knock on your door recommended for high traffic before the 31st of March please use the area where the average speed other sources. is over 35mph. Incident report: There are logbooks in the school, library and the community and school websites • The crossing is heavily used for residents/pupils to report any near and is the main thoroughfare misses, cars not stopping or other for the residents who reside incidents residents may witness. Please in the north/east of the help us build up evidence of the risks. village. This route is used to visit all the local amenities (library, school, play park, Despite these strong arguments and surgery, local shops etc). the full support of the local police, the Your support with this important • There have been a number of Community Council, the Community cause is much appreciated. If you near misses on this road, most Development Trust and the primary school, require any770852 further information please forcefully demonstrated by the do not hesitate to contact Christine recent prosecution of a driver Baume on . Women’s Rural Electoral Register he new Register of Electors published Morag Roy on 1 December shows an increase in the number of voters eligible to vote ue to the severe Tin future elections from the last register weather our published on 1 December 2009. C h r i s t m a s Brian Byrne, Electoral Registration DLunch at the Officer (ERO) when contacted advised that Strathblane Country the increase was welcome but may only be Club was postponed temporary as notices of deletion have still to until January. This, in be posted to electors in households who had some ways, proved not responded to the annual voter registration most fortunate as the forms sent this year and last year. Country Club went When no return is made and the ERO out of their way to cannot verify who is eligible to remain Emma Findlay, Lorna Young, Mary Marshall and registered to vote he requires to remove the compensate for us Sheena Turner missing our Christmas names from his Register of Electors. An Festivities. early estimate is that over 4000 electors Our first official meeting was in in the Forth Valley Area may have to be February when we were extremely removed for not returning their forms in fortunate to have Johanna Hall come and 2010. explain to us how she makes the most Anyone who is not registered or receives amazing quilts using different types of By the time you read this, a census form a deletion notice and is still eligible to fabric, paints and photos. Each quilt either will have been delivered to you. You can register needs to apply to register as soon as involves a poem or tells a story – some complete it online if you prefer. possible as not being registered can cause credit difficulties in the future as well as even have videos to accompany them. By law, each home is required to return preventing you from voting. Forms are At the March meeting the speaker a completed census form, and though available in all local libraries and can be pulled out at the last meeting and Tom census results will be published just over downloaded from www.saa.gov.uk/central. Turner kindly stepped in and spoke about a year later, personal details are kept the Scottish Cot Death Trust. Our last confidential for one hundred years. The cover photo was taken by meeting with be on April 21st when David The actual census date is 27 March and Lawson will speak to us about Birds in our the form should be filled in on or around that Alastair Smith and it tells us Gardens. Visitors will be most welcome. date and include everyone at your address. that Spring is near. 3 Digital television (Freeview) Digital aerials opefully every home within the community will have rading Standards officers in Stirling and Clackmannanshire are received the booklet on the switch over to Digital television, warning people to be careful not to fall into the hands of rogue and we don’t propose to repeat any of it. However, we traders when the June switchover to digital TV approaches. Hare aware that some may have difficulty in carrying out T Cowboy contractors may try to charge high fees the necessary steps to achieve this change. Most will for installing equipment such as aerials or carrying out have a friend or member of the family that could do the unnecessary work. necessary for them, but there may be some who are not If you need a new aerial, don’t be pressurised on the so fortunate. doorstep to have just anyone install it. A full list of Registered To help them, it has been proposed that volunteers Digital Installers (RDIs) in the area is available at rdi-lb.tv within the village will visit their homes and “tune in” or by calling Digital UK advice line on 08456 50 50 50. their digital boxes or digital televisions. They will not From June 8, the Black Hill and Blanefield transmitters provide the homeowner with the necessary equipment, will start switching to digital television but if you are receiving a good television picture just now, then you should but it has been suggested that a visit will be made to not need a new aerial. If you can look at the Ceefax/Teletex anyone requiring this help, before the switch over day, pages there is a simple test you can perform. With STV to make sure that they have all the necessary equipment, (Channel 3) selected go to page 248 on Teletext. There you will and bits of wire etc. find a checkerboard pattern. After a few moments the page will There will be a place in the library where those requiring change to an explanation of how to decode the information in the this assistance can leave their names, addresses, and telephone pattern. Basically if the pattern has no faults in it your aerial should numbers. Though the changeover is not due till the beginning of be acceptable. June, it would be helpful if those requiring this assistance could But if however you think you may have a problem get it checked leave their names in the library at the earliest. It will assist in out by a Registered Digital Installer, or a local aerial installer known letting us know how many will need help. to you or who is known in the area.

Blane Valley Burns Club ARE YOU A YOUNG Alan Morris Netta let the company in on many PHOTOGRAPHER? amusing observations on male traits and n Saturday 22nd January, the Blane demolished much of Murray’s argument he Rotary Club of Strathendrick Valley Burns Club had another sell in the kindest possible way using satire along with Keep Scotland out Burns Supper in the Edmonstone and jokes. Beautiful has taken up the OHall. This year’s Chiel, Alan Morris, There was community singing Tchallenge issued by Rotary International chaired an evening of talent both local throughout the evening and we are to find enthusiastic young photographers and from further afield. Hugh Parsons set grateful to Helen Eastcroft for playing the within the Strathendrick area for the the scene by piping in the top table and piano for us. Rotary Young Photographer of the Year later led the Parade O’ the Haggis, which The evening ended with Rosemary Competition 2011. was then slaughtered with Morris thanking the artistes The theme for the competition a large knife held aloft by which was followed by the is ‘Have some pride - keep Scotland George Eastcroft, who gave Chiel thanking everyone tidy’ and the judges will be looking for an excellent rendition of its who had worked hard to imagination and style as well as technical virtues. The haggis does not make the evening a success merit, content and composition. have a gender, so its breeding and the night ended with This exciting competition offers habits remain a mystery. Auld Lang Syne. youngsters the opportunity to enter Alan Robertson said the The profits from the their photographs in one of three group Selkirk Grace and after some evening will be used to categories - under 12 years, 12 - 15 years Halesome Farin’, Alastair take the pupils of P6 from Smith proposed a toast. Strathblane Primary School and 16 - 18 years. Photographs can be After the supper, Iain Peddie educated to attend one of the “Celtic Connection” snapped with digital or film cameras in us with a fine explanation of the Bard’s concerts in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall colour or monochrome but all entries philosophies and delivered his “Immortal in January and also to take the P6 class must be submitted to the Rotary Club Memory” with feeling and sincerity. Our down to Alloway in June, to enjoy the of Strathendrick, c/o Black Bull Hotel, singers for the evening were Sheila Hall Burns experience. 2 The Square, Killearn, G63 9NG by & John Shirreffs who gave us splendid Friday, 1st April. renditions of Burns’ songs with some A winner from each category will delightful harmonies accompanied by lane Valley Burns Club was formed in go through to the Scottish Grand Final guitar. 1980 and after 31 years, we still have where experienced judges, selected by Dennis Pattenden provided us with a mostB of the original committee members the Scottish Photographic Federation will truly dramatic recitation of Tam O’ Shanter. running the club. On more than one be joined by a representative from Keep Effects were provided by Hugh Parsons occasion we have been close to winding Scotland Beautiful. who played the role of the piper playing up the club which would be a great pity. Winners will receive trophies and Deil in Alloway’s Auld Haunted Kirk The existing committee is prepared certificates donated by Keep Scotland and Alastair Smith providing the lighting to continue but we do need more people Beautiful at an Award ceremony and effects. This poem was then followed by to join the committee to take over the Jessops will present gift vouchers with Susan Rhind, who as Tam’s wife, let us running of the club and form the basis of the overall winner going on a professional have her views on her wayward husband, its future office bearers. Age and sex are photo shoot with Maverick Photo Agency. with her spirited and amusing rendition of immaterial as the club has always been a The Rotary Club of Strathendrick has “Kate O’ Shanter” which, incidentally, was mixed club but perhaps the time is right given entry forms and competition rules not written by Robert Burns. for some ladies to join the committee and to all schools within the Strathendrick Murray O’Donnell Toasted the Lassies, “learn the ropes” and we already have a area. These can also be obtained from the often seen as a challenge to the opposite potential recruit. Club by contacting the Secretary, Steve sex, in his own inimitable style, with many At one time there were many events Holden, on 01360 550764 or by logging amusing comments, observations and occurring throughout the year and on to www.rotary1020.org.uk and compliments. Revealing his own prowess whoever takes over in the future can follow the Young Photographer 2011 link as a poet, we heard The Great Muckle maintain the status quo, which is one on the web site front page. Spider to much laughter but Murray always Burns Supper per year or take the club This is your opportunity to be ends this poem with “to be continued”. off in a different direction as previously. part of what promises to be the best When, we ask? Anyone wanting any further information environmental competition for young Up to Murray’s challenge, Netta Ewing please contact me on 770469 or any gave The Reply on behalf of the Lassies. committee member. people so get out there and get snapping! 4 Exciting new equipment From our new in the play park correspondent Linda Barclay Britton Murray Wishart

any positive changes have occurred in ello my name is our community play park over the last six Murray and I am a 12 months! What was a rundown and underused area is now year old boy who stays anM exciting and vibrant hub for many families, young people and Hin Blanefield. I have been others members of the community. The partnership between the asked to write a short article Greenheart group and Stirling Council has been key in drawing in for the Blane to say what it is the resources and expertise to make these improvements possible. my age group like about living In addition to the multi-unit equipment, which was installed in in our village. May 2010, we now have a state of the art flying fox, an embankment I have to say that I love slide, and two new picnic tables. The scheme was made possible with living here it’s friendly and on Murray, front right, with pals a £5,000 grant from Clackmananshire and Stirling Environment the whole safe to get about. I Trust, which was enjoy the Youth Club on a Tuesday night and in the spring/summer boosted by The I play Bowls in the Strathblane Bowling Club. I think it’s great Robertson Trust that I know so many nice older people in the village that I may and The Hugh not have got the chance Fraser Foundation, to know, or vice versa, each pledging as we would not have £3000, and by had a lot on common local fundraising and I think that I would initiatives that have missed out on all raised £2000. their stories of the “old To complete the village” and they may Climbing wall play park project have had me down as a there are plans to young hoody-wearing include a few more items, with our current ideas including a 3 trouble maker. metre climbing wall (pictured) and a basket swing. Jumps made by the boys My best thing to do We did consider whether we could provide jumps for bikes in the village is to make and skateboards and we discussed this with Stirling Council, but jumps down at the park it proved to be impractical for a number of reasons. with my friends for our BMX’s. It’s great fun and gets us out in the The success of this project has been the result of many years fresh air instead of being stuck inside on playstations all the time. of planning and hard work from local residents and organisations. We don’t want to get in the way or annoy anyone we just enjoy the The park belongs to the people of Strathblane and Blanefield thrill of the jumps and pushing ourselves to see how high and far and to the future generations. Please encourage everyone in the we can get. community to use the equipment and have fun whilst respecting We enjoy the new “flying fox” and hope in time to come to the environment and the equipment. We should all play a part in see a MUGA (multi use games area) in the village to give us other keeping our community clean, safe and free of vandalism! things to do; this would give us football, basketball, and I know that there is a group of people trying really hard to get it. I of course would love for a small area to be put aside for us to use for jumps for our BMX and skateboards – that would be cool. Remember this? I think that there could be more for the kids to do in the village such as junior football, the youth club maybe on another night (hint hint please) and perhaps a badminton club for parents and kids to go along to. I know it takes mums and dads to step up and run things like this but perhaps if kids say what they want in their village they may be able to get them to start them (go on Dad). As I said I can’t think of anything that I really dislike about living here, great school, great library, nice people, 9 out of 10! Grit bins ocal residents were furious to find the grit box at Ballewan Crescent completely empty. Apparently someone had removed the contents of the grit box and driven off leaving Lthe residents without any means of gritting their part of the village. The Council is aware of this type of offence and urge residents, in future, to take details of any vehicle involved and telephone them at 0845 277 7000. Action can then be taken against those involved in this selfish and potentially dangerous act.

outhview Drive, like many other parts of the community, suffered from Tweet unploughedS roads for quite a long time. But where could the snow have been dumped? Alan Campbell The worst part was the freezing conditions. Stirling Council were overwhelmed but eep up with local events by following did a valiant job in awful conditions. They Kthe community website twitter worked tirelessly clearing pavements, even account @Strthblnfld on Christmas Eve, using a small digger. Despite that, there were quite a few Visit the Community Website @ people who had falls and incurred injuries because of the ice. www.strathblanefield.org.uk 5 or film. Help your child to understand View from the Police Office that some people lie online and therefore it is safer to keep online friends online. David McNally are less likely to act inappropriately (i.e via They should never meet up with strangers webcam). without an adult they trust. ore and more today, people Help your children to understand that conduct their business and they should never give out personal details ncidences of online bullying are social life in the online, social to online friends - personal details includes Iincreasing. Complaints are frequently networkingM environment. Children their messenger ID, email address, mobile made to Central Scotland Police regarding particularly are making more use of this telephone number and any pictures of threatening, offensive or racist messages media to contact friends and family. At being sent via social networking sites. recent primary school inputs, I have been Don’t forget that games consoles such as X surprised at how many kids aged around 10 Box Live or Nintendo Wii can also be used and 11 are actively using social networking for social networking purposes. sites such as Facebook. Online behaviour like this should never Children often lose their inhibitions be tolerated. If your child is a victim of when online and can be very naïve. A this kind of intimidation, encourage them problem arises therefore when a child’s to talk about it. Similarly, impress on your knowledge of computers and their children that they should never threaten or applications is greater than that of their bully anyone online. The consequences of parents. It’s ironic, but the term ‘Parental themselves, family or friends. If your child doing so are the same as bullying in normal Lock’ could easily refer to our children’s publishes a picture or video online, anyone circumstances. ability to prevent us from knowing what can change it or share it. Remind them that Most importantly, always keep they are actually doing online. anyone may be looking at or using their communication open for a child to know It is important therefore that as parents images. that its never too late to tell someone if we know what our children are doing If your child receives spam/junk email something makes them feel uncomfortable online and who they are communicating and texts, remind them never to believe online. Reassure them that if they do have with. Ask your children to teach you any them, reply to them or use them. It is not a a bad experience online it is not their fault applications they use which you have no good idea for your child to open files that and they can talk to you about it. experience of. Keeping your computer in a are from people they don’t know. They Finally, tell your children that if family room means that you can share your won’t know what it could contain - it could something doesn’t feel right online, it child’s online experience - and that they be a virus, or worse an inappropriate image probably isn’t.

Bringing the old Balfron High School back together Carron Rand High School Back Together” on 28 May alling all those who attended or 2011, at the new (!) worked at the old Balfron High Balfron High School. School building! Tickets will go on sale CThis summer will mark 10 years since shortly and will include the old Balfron High School closed its a finger buffet, a night doors to pupils and staff for the very last of ceilidh dancing, a time. contribution to charity The old Balfron High School was and, of course, the a school that, by the end, was holding chance to catch up with The old Balfron High School building over double the pupils it was intended to old friends! hold, and where numbers of pupils were This is very much an open invitation overtaking the numbers of classrooms to all who attended or worked at the old and space in the corridors to such an Balfron High School so if you know any extent that portacabins surrounded the one who did – please pass these details Malawi fundraiser main building and a “one way system” on! for the school was seriously enforced. A school that If anyone would like to come along may have been a little too full, but was or would like further information, please partnership certainly full of plenty of atmosphere. contact me at [email protected]. This summer, those of us who were Bethan Williams & Bruce Taylor the last sixth year pupils to be in that building – the last ones to add their We welcome comments on alfron High School is currently names to the table in the Joint and the anything that appears in the raising money for a group of four last Prefects to enforce that one way newsletter. Please write to students and two teachers from system, will also celebrate 10 years since the editor, Mike Fischbacher Bour partnership school, Robert Laws bringing our school days to an end. So at: Secondary School, to come to our school we thought how good it would be to get 4, Southview Road on an exchange in June. that year group all back together. But Strathblane G63 9JQ We will be having lots of fundraising there were many, many people – pupils, or email: events, one of which will be a family ceilidh teachers and support staff alike – who [email protected] at the Millenium Hall in Gartocharn (date enjoyed their days at the old BHS and ( 01360 770716 to be announced). Tickets will be on sale who have brilliant memories of their time in Strathblane library nearer the time. there, and so, then we thought, why not v v v v v This will be a great event with plenty of get as many of them together as we can activities for all the family. to share our memories of all that the old To contact Stirling Council, Fundraising is crucial for this Balfron High School had to offer! phone 0845 277 7000 partnership to continue so please look out So, we are “Bringing the Old Balfron Email: [email protected] for other events advertised locally. 6 even more imperative that improvements Community Council news are made to the zebra crossing for everyone’s safety. We will continue to Margaret Vass, Chair this important meeting. pursue this with the Council and will not One of the advantages of take no for an answer. Indeed the council he Community Council having over a hundred people at has now agreed that changes are needed. has been extremely busy our February meeting to discuss This is an action in our action plan and we on your behalf. I am allotments is that more people are will work with the school parent council to Tdelighted to report that we have seeing and hearing about what we campaign for this. been able to co-opt two youth do. We hold services to account We are also keen to keep the pressure up members onto the Community and campaign on issues that are to deal with speeding through the village. Council – Bruce Taylor and Ailsa Lyndsay important to our community. In every community I drive through there who are already making their voices heard. are cars parked on the road and traffic has We had to cancel our December Planning to slow, for example in Killearn or Doune. meeting because of the snow but worked lanning Applications that I previously Why don’t we park responsibly on the tirelessly to ensure that the community was reported as refused at Edenmill Farm, road? Part of the solution is in our hands! safe. Snow clearing and gritting along with theP 10 ‘close care units’ at Blanefield Fiona Murray, Elspeth Posnett and refuse collection were tackled with Stirling care home and the 5 houses at Mugdock I have cleared and planted up the village Council and Scottish Water were held to were appealed. All 3 appeals have been tubs for the winter. Thanks must go to account for their lack of service. rejected which we think is great news. We Oakwood Garden Centre for giving us a are supporting the application to upgrade good deal on the pansies and polyanthus. Action Plan Brown’s shop and build 5 flats and we are So many people have admired the tubs that he Community Action Plan has been urging Stirling Council to work with the we are determined to keep them planted Tdelivered to all homes in the village. owners to ensure that there is adequate and increase the number of tubs. We are Spare copies are available in the library. car parking. While it is always best to working with the Community Development Having listened to what you have told us, no walk we recognise that some people need Trust to have the tubs sponsored in the major change or development is proposed. to drive and it is We consider ourselves very lucky to be important to do living where we do, but there are always everything possible opportunities to improve things if enough to help the long people agree and are willing to take part term viability of the in groups to get things done. The plan is shop & post office. an attempt to consolidate and build upon The application what we have; it will change over time as for allotments was opportunities come our way. We want our withdrawn. pavements, paths and cycle ways joined We have spent up and advertised along with our great quite a bit of time shops, to maximise their use and viability. u n d e r s t a n d i n g Parking for our shops needs to be improved the concerns of Proposed plan to upgrade Brown’s shop and create five flats. along with parking for our many visitors to neighbours around the area with good signage so that they use the Carbeth huts. We have visited the area future. We have been fortunate to receive our facilities and help our local businesses with Stirling Council’s planner and met grant funding for this year but that will not prosper. We have already lost 2 business with representatives of the Hutters’ new be repeated. premises from the villages and we would ‘community company’. We are reassured We are currently looking at improving like to search for opportunities within the that there is every intention to manage the communication with everyone in the village to help local people who may wish area well and to control new building by village and will be launching a Community to run their own business. You care about the rigorous use of the conservation area Council forum on the village website. our local health services and we wish to status. www.strathblanefield.org.uk . work with Forth Valley Health Board and In our recent consultations on the future Thanks to everyone who has come along our GPs to maximise local services. needs of our community, housing for older to our meetings and to my colleagues on the As we now have 2 youth members we people featured highly and the community Community Council who work so hard on will be assisting them to produce their own council has been approached by Stirling’s your behalf. We have notices up in shops plan. This will sit alongside the community Housing Department to see if we can find a and our notice boards giving our contact action plan. Joan Hoggan has agreed to site or sites for 6 semi-detached bungalows. details; please contact us if you need our help Bruce and Ailsa. It is early days for this and it is not likely help. Together we can achieve more! The Community Council and to happen for a couple of years, but we will the Community Development Trust consult fully as more information becomes COMMUNITY COUNCILLORS will present the plan to the Stirling’s available. Community Planning Partnership so that Blanefield Ward they are aware of our aspirations. Members Other issues Joan Hoggan 770181 of this partnership are the Council, the epresentatives from Scottish Water Willie Oswald 770497 Health Board, Police, Fire Service and the Rcame to our October meeting to explain Margaret Vass 770131 Voluntary Sector how they had handled some of the supply Fiona Murray 771497 issues that have been experienced by some Community debate residents, particularly in Moor Road and Strathblane Ward ver the last two or three months Mugdock. There have been problems Elspeth Posnett 770113 Owe have had a considerable debate with our reservoir emptying and not Alan Hutton 770537 within the community about what is refilling. Scottish Water will be investing Marion Lever 770536 meant by consultation and the roles of the £0.4million to renew pipes and install a Mugdock Ward Community Council and the Community bigger main over the next 18-24 months Philip Graves 0141 956 1954 Development Trust appear confused for to address this problem. They have also Dick Arnold 770006 many people. We need to deal with this learned lessons from the recent big freeze John Gray 771031 and we will be holding a Community and hope to improve communication when Forum at the end of April/beginning of customers lose water in the future. Youth representatives May to debate the issues. We hope that We are most disappointed that our Bruce Taylor 770660 representatives from all groups in the school crossing officer has had to resign Ailsa Lyndsay 770680 village will attend along with interested due to safety concerns after it took so long individuals. Please watch out for details of to fill the vacancy. However that makes it [email protected] 7 people see litter which simply encourages West Highland Way ramblings them to add to the mess. I think a start The good news and the bad news could begin with a few clear signs. Bob Sharp avoiding action. It just requires a bit of third problem – and my key gripe - drainage management and the problem A is the presence of human excrement or those interested in walking there’s would be solved. Having just spent £40k along the path. There is a wall just a few a real gem right on our doorstep – on upgrading the path along the old railway 100 yards along the path north of the B821. the West Highland Way. It begins line from Strathblane to Lennoxtown, I’m Two years ago over the summer months inF Milngavie and ends in Fort William sure the Council could spend a few quid the north side of the wall quickly became but its closest point to us is only a mile or filling in holes on the path. an open sewer. The same applied to the so distant at Carbeth. Here it crosses the gorse bushes further on and just before road from Craigallian Loch to the south second problem is the volume of Dumgoyach Farm. I walk this section many and then heads north past the old cottage rubbish discarded by walkers. The times with my dog. Recently, he returned Arlehaven towards Duntreath and beyond. Aphotograph shows the items I collected from a foray amongst the bushes covered There’s a rough lay one morning over a in human waste! This is not the first time bye for parking cars at one kilometre section this has happened and I am sure I’m not Easter Carbeth which from Dumgoyach the only person to be so affected. I can gives immediate Farm northwards. I see why this section has become a sewer. access to the Way and plan to repeat the Walkers leave their B&Bs in Milngavie easy walking north route from Carbeth to following a hearty breakfast, then about the and south. That’s the Dumgoyne in the near time they get to Carbeth, having consumed good news. future armed with bin their sandwiches and cakes purchased in The bad news liners to remove the Milngavie, the colic reflex takes over and is the condition of rest. The amount of they need to relieve themselves. the path in places. litter left by walkers Clearly, there’s a need for some education I raised this with is unacceptable by here. It is not for me to tell Stirling Council Stirling Council some anyone’s standards. what to do, but I’m inclined to suggest a years ago but things You can tell that first move would be to display signs telling have improved little. much is left by WHW walkers in clear terms that going to the The section close to walkers (rather toilet behind the wall and in the bushes is Dumgoyach Farm than local walkers) unacceptable. A leaflet box in Milngavie about a mile north of West Highland Way litter collected over as many items are might also help, and there is plenty of Easter Carbeth is in a 1 km section. clearly purchased information published about going to the an appalling state of in Milngavie (e.g., toilet in the wild, which could be displayed. repair. Someone has M&S food packaging thrown a few wooden stakes in a bog and Greggs paper bags). But there are also s a final thought, I wonder if Stirling but that hasn’t really helped. There are lager cans and whiskey bottles. ACouncil might give some thought to numerous sections of exposed black The situation contrasts markedly with establishing a system of voluntary care? matting; remains of a previous attempt to North America where the ‘Leave no trace’ All 2000 miles of the Appalachian Trail is solve the problem. The matting can be and ‘Pack it in, pack it out’ principles divided into small sections (4/5 miles) and avoided by traversing sideways but it is still are enshrined in culture. In fact, some local volunteers monitor upkeep/repairs a hazardous obstruction to safe progress. 10 years ago I walked a long section of and litter. This ensures the path is always It’s presence is symptomatic of poor path the Appalachian Trail and failed to see a clean and properly maintained. I would maintenance in the area. I really feel it single item of debris anywhere in around certainly offer my help and I’m sure so too is time something is done before the path 300 miles. We need to do something about would others. Does anyone else have any widens further as walkers take sideways this problem, which is just getting worse; views on this subject? Pipe Band news JohnMuir

trathendrick Pipe Band completed their season by competing at the Cowal Games at Dunoon. They were placed 9th in the qualifying section Sand were reasonably pleased considering the number of bands competing that day. Overall the season has been fairly successful the band being on the prize list at six grade 4 contests. When not competing, the band was busy with various engagements both in Strathblane/Blanefield and surrounding villages and at various charity events. The support and generosity of numerous people throughout the villages has allowed the band to have new uniforms, new chanters, side drums, bass a n d tenor drums along with all the necessary maintenance equipment his past November Strathblane and Blanefield raised £3220.06 involved in keeping the band in top form. Tfor the annual appeal which was a marvellous contribution The band would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the fund, being considerably more than 2009. The demands on in any way, making sandwiches, baking, raffle prizes etc. and to Poppy Scotland rise every year and they are very grateful for all those named in previous editions of the Blane who kindly gave our efforts. donations to the band. We recently received donations from Mrs. Every local business displayed a can achieving a total of Rae, Mrs. MacGregor, Mr. & Mrs.Rand and Mr. & Mrs. Marshall £1272.11, and in spite of wet, wild weather twenty- five committed and this is very much appreciated. house-to-house collectors raised a total of £1947.95. It may be a The band is now preparing for the forthcoming season wet, cold volunteering experience, but it is also very rewarding, so and have now formed their list of engagements. If any organisation or person wishes to book the band please contact our band if you would like to be a part of it next autumn, please contact me, engagement convenor Mrs Lynne Phillips on 01360 550080 who Lorna Morris (770448). will take the details & advise if the band can undertake the request. 8 Kirk still looks for new minister Isabella Britton Sylvia Armstrong Murray O’Donnell

he church had hoped to have its new minister sabella Britton was one of the last inducted this past November, but due to remaining people to be able to recall first unforeseen personal circumstances that did not hand the tragic night of the Clydebank Thappen so the search still goes on. blitzI when four people were killed at Sunnyside, Blanefield. Known to most of us as Isobel Stirling, prior to her marriage to Harry Britton in 1954, she passed away in February. She had two children, Janie and John, and four grand children on whom she doted and who live in the village. She was pre-deceased by both her husband Harry and her daughter Janie. Isobel trained as a hairdresser at Janie Blacks in Milngavie and a career change followed when she became a cook and worked at several places in the village including Strathblane Public School, the Country Club, and the Children’s Home Hospital. Isobel attended Strathblane Public School, which was at Thorn of Cuilt in Blanefield, and Balfron High School. She was a keen member of the youth club organized by Mr and Mrs Bobby McCallum and, like most of her friends, was an enthusiastic and able dancer. With her children, Isobel enjoyed long walks in the countryside and was a member of the Gardening Club, the Senior Citizens and the Church. She enjoyed knitting Local man, Tam Allan, is a crew man on the on the and the company of her family and many friends. One was always sure of a kind word and a smile from Isobel. Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine. Well known singer, As part of a local history project, I met with Isobel and others to speak of Susan Boyle, recorded scenes for her latest CD on days gone by, and in particular the evening of the 14th and 15th of March 1941, board the ship. Tam said that Susan was great fun to the second night of the Clydebank blitz. Isobel could recall that night with work with and, at the end of the shoot, she thanked great clarity and even spoke about it to the children at the Primary School as all the crew of this famous vessel for their assistance. part of their project. She was ten years old at that time when two of her school friends and their mother perished at Sunnyside when a German landmine Defending gospel freedom exploded. An elderly gentleman also died on that tragic evening. The families from Sunnyside were dispersed to various parts of the countryside and Isobel ear speakers from the Christian Institute on the and her brother Robert went to the Duntreath Estate. threat to religious freedom in our country at: After a fall just after Christmas, she was taken into hospital and died of HSt. George’s Tron Church, 163 Buchanan St. her injuries. The sympathy of the community is extended to the family. They on Wednesday 30 March 7.30-9.00pm would like to thank every one for the letters and cards they have received, and for the flowers at the funeral service. Gordon George Eastcroft Lynda Eastcroft y son, Gordon George Eastcroft was born in the and Economic History at Glasgow University Queen Mothers Maternity Unit in Glasgow on the and a further post grad qualification 20th August 1982. A few days later he was taken in Marketing at Glasgow Caledonian homeM to Strathblane and for most of his too short life that is University. where he stayed. When a student, Gordon, like so many He attended the local Mother and Toddler Group, the of the young people in the village, worked Playgroup and from there to Strathblane Primary School. in the Kirkhouse Inn. He worked initially Gordon joined in all the activities available for children in as a kitchen porter (worst job ever!) but the village at that time - he even won first prize at the local eventually became bar manager. He held this gala when he entered as a strongman! He was a cub, a scout position for several years and although the and a member of the local karate club. hours were long, he enjoyed the camaraderie Like all young boys, Gordon loved football and he played which existed between the staff and the with Strathblane Juniors – a football team run by his father customers. Gordon, although busy in his job, George and Stuart Thom the school janitor. always made time to chat to the customers In 1997 he took part in a play written by Lynne Arrol and was particularly good at spoiling and and performed at Strathblane Parish Church. It was called flattering older ladies. He had a way with the “Back to Christmas”. Gordon played the part of a modern- ladies – his humour and charm always won day Joseph and many a happy evening was spent in rehearsals them round! with his friends. When his brother Andrew had an accident 2 years ago, Gordon Gordon was a born performer and throughout his life he kept offered to work in Andrew’s Pizza store in Edinburgh to “help out his family and friends entertained with his impersonations and and keep an eye on things”. He loved Edinburgh and settled into jokes. As I ran the local dancing school, he was able to take part in his own flat in Polworth. He cooked for his sister Helen and her my classes without the usual “boys don’t dance” stigma and many fiancé every Tuesday evening and spent most weekday afternoons people will remember him performing on stage at Milngavie with his brother helping him with his leg exercises. Town Hall. He was a great tap dancer and this natural rhythm was His heart however was still in Strathblane and most Thursday to come through again when he took up drumming. evenings he would return home to go to the weekly quiz at the At Balfron High School Gordon was given the opportunity Blane Valley Inn. Here he met up with his friends, enjoyed a few to study percussion in the music department. He was always pints and used his film and music knowledge to his quiz team’s “drumming” on something – the table, the drinking glasses, his advantage. knees –anything! He was seen regularly at school concerts playing Sadly he is no longer with us but we, his family, have come to the drum kit or performing a solo on the xylophone. A few years realise that he touched many people during his life. He made his later he began playing drum kit in a band that performed in many friends and family feel special and he was a fantastic listener. He Glasgow music venues. was a most loving son and brother and a true friend to many. He is After Balfron, Gordon achieved an Honours Degree in Social missed so much by all of us. 9 a l f r o n B a r r a c u d a s began the term Bwith the addition of a third training session on Thursday nights. This extra session is Brownies commenced in August a mixed group of with new leaders Ruth Reynolds and A and B swimmers Hazel Campbell. and has proved to The first term got off to an exciting be very popular. The club coaching team start with the Girl Guiding Centenary goes from strength to strength with two Finale taking place at Balfron High of our coaches, Sheila McFarlane and School on 20 October. At 8.10pm new Kieran Bowland, recently passing the and former Brownies and their Leaders UKCC level two coaching certificate. This from the surrounding villages together complements the rest of the team who recited their Brownie Promise. gained their level one certificate earlier Celebrations included learning how this year. This term’s session, as usual, to perform cheerleading dancing with ends with the timing night at Balfron High pom-poms which had been previously School. With assistance from committee made by the Brownies. Refreshments members and parents, club swimmers and celebration cake were enjoyed by have an opportunity to improve their all. A wonderful evening. ‘personal bests’ and for the first time have The girls have also successfully an opportunity to participate in a series of completed their disability badge. Many club relay races. thanks go to Jan Hamilton for her impressive teaching of sign language. Brownie leaders Hazel Campbell and Ruth The girls enjoyed learning to sign Reynolds at the Halloween Disco (top) and with their own names, ask for items and the Brownies. st sign the complete alphabet. Thanks 1 Strathblane also to Margaret Cowie of the Guide Dog for the marsh-mallows in icing sugar was Association who came to visit us with Sage, fun. Everyone had a great time including Guides the Golden Labrador. This evening proved leaders Ruth and Hazel. to be another success and very informative We had a good turnout with 15 Eleanor Forrest one with the girls asking lots of interesting Brownies marching to the Remembrance questions about Sage and her life as a guide Day Service. Iona Campbell laid the wreath irst of all let me introduce myself. I dog. together with Scout Oliver Aitchison. Katy am Eleanor Forrest and I took over The girls received their disability, Hamilton, Jenny Byles, Halle Reynolds the 1st Strathblane Guides in August centenary and adventure 100 badges on 30 and Rachel Sinclair all took turns carrying becauseF I didn’t want it to fold as I was November. All parents were invited along the Brownies Flag during the march. part of the unit in the 1980s and wanted to watch the girls receive their badges and We are currently running at full capacity to ensure that guiding continued in the listen to them sing some Brownie Songs. but if you would like to place your daughter’s village. Guiding has changed quite a lot The girls also enjoyed another fun name on our waiting list please contact since my time but much has stayed the filled evening at their Halloween Disco. Hazel (771447) or Ruth (0141 956 6909). same – having new experiences, learning Well done to all the girls for their great Brownies currently run on a Tuesday night new skills and having fun! costumes! Dooking for apples and search from 6.30pm – 7.45pm at the Scout Hall. The girls have had a busy few months both on a Thursday night and at other community events and have been learning about teamwork, making dream catchers, a cheerleading demonstration which gave helping at a WRI event selling poppies, us a chance to try out our pom poms that preparing for and helping at the Guide we made from bin bags, and we sang songs sale and marking Remembrance day with and ate cake. The event culminated in a service at the War Memorial and in everybody renewing their promise at 20:10 the Church. We celebrated the end of the on 20/10/2010 and being presented with a centenary year at a finale event at Balfron special Centenary promise badge - a very High School on 20 October 2010 which momentous occasion for all. involved Rainbows, Brownies and Guides To say our thanks to Lynn Wishart for from the whole District. We were treated to all her hard work over the last few years we hosted a night for parents. Sarah Gibson PILATES CLASSES gave an inspiring slide Pilates delivers the keys to a show of her trip on the balanced body by changing the way Tall Ship last summer Morag Gray, Lynn Wishart and Alice you move, sit, stand and breathe. Based on slow, controlled as part of the guiding Gibson at the Guide sale movement, Pilates effectively targets many familiar aches organisation, each and pains caused by poor body use (as in “misuse, disuse, patrol demonstrated abuse”!). their teamwork skills Taking over the Guide unit has been a For details of local classes and private tuition, by making chocolate huge learning curve for me. I want to take including the Back4Good® programme for the management krispies, performing a this opportunity to thank all the parents for of low back pain, call Jane Meek on: play and entertaining their support over the last few months, to 01360 771742 / 07759 182236 or e-mail: us with a game of the girls for their patience (especially with [email protected]. ‘guess the guide my craft attempts) and to Lynn Wishart for badge’ charades. Lynn her continued support and advice. A certified Back4Good® Practitioner and was presented with Guides takes place at the Scout & registered BackCare Professional. some gifts to show Guide Hall on a Thursday evening from our appreciation and 7.30-9pm for girls aged 10-15 years. Julie Ross made her a Please give me a call if your daughter Body Control Pilates, the Body Control Pilates logo/kitemark and fabulous ‘Guide Camp’ would like to come along and find out Back4Good are registered trademarks used under licence cake (see page 26). what we do (770836). 10 The Senior Citizens Club

Time to gut out your garage and clean out your cupboards! Our Spring Fayre is almost upon us and we need your outgrown and unused ‘surplus stuff’ to sell. We take toys, books, bric-a-brac, kitchen utensils, plants, crockery, pictures, electrical items and small items of furniture (if it can’t go into the back of a car, it’s too big!) Sorry – no “white goods” can be accepted. We will accept donations of school, scout, cubs, and beaver uniforms. We can now also accept donations of clothing, bags, belts and shoes. Please bring your ‘stuff’ along to the Scout Hall on Beatrice Leckie Thursday and Friday, 24th and 25th March, between 7-9pm, or from 8-10 am on the morning of the sale itself. he Senior Citizens Club was delighted to welcome some new All proceeds from this sale go to the upkeep of the Tfaces to their meetings and hope that some more may also Scouts, Cubs and Beavers in this village. Please help us to come and join in the fun that is provided every other Tuesday. continue this good work! In January we had our visit to the Pantomime. This again Any questions? Contact Anne Horrocks on 770109 or proved to be a great success with a meal in the Kirkhouse before Louise McHugh on 770879 going to the King’s Theatre in Glasgow to see Snow White. All members thoroughly enjoyed the evening. MANY THANKS On 15th March we were entertained by the Callander Brass Band which was, as always, a very enjoyable evening. Our last meeting for 2011 will be on 29th March when we will be having a “Musical Night”. Funhut Family Fun Day Strathblane Bowling Club Saturday 26 March 4-7pm in the Village Club Susan MacDonald he bowling club opens for the 2011 season with the Gents Opening Day on Saturday T16 April at 2 p.m. The Ladies Opening Day is Sunday 17th April also at 2 p.m. Any lady or gentleman wishing to join the club should contact the club secretary Mr. John McCaig at 01360 312022 or [email protected]. New members are always welcome and coaching and bowls are provided by the club for beginners. Bowling is a sociable sport and a healthy and fun way to keep fit. We look Puppet shows forward to seeing new members this year. Jungle masks Live music and dancing Kids food boxes GR represents GBR in the world triathlon Booze and food for the adults championships Carron Rand Family ticket £10 in advance (£12 on the door) t just after 7:00am on a Sunday morning in September, Gavin Rand dived into the Adult food £3.50, wine and beer £2.00, soft drinks £1 cold, brown waters of the Danube. You Kids food boxes with juice and jungle face mask £3.50 Amight consider this behaviour rather strange. However, Gavin who lived the first eighteen Scottish Water years of his life in Kirkhouse Road and was not known for liking cold water, was accompanied by apologises for supply several hundred wetsuit-wearing competitors in problems during the the World Triathlon Championships. 23 minutes freeze later, having swum 1500 metres, Gavin left the river, got on his bike and rode for 40km through cottish Water (SW) has apologised the streets of Budapest before swapping pedals for the problems some people in this for training shoes and running a further 10km area experienced during the festive along the banks of the Danube to cross the finish Sholiday period. The pipe over the Blane line at the foot of the famous Chain Bridge. which caused reservoir tanks to empty has During the weekend of 11/12 September 2010 now been repaired. over 4000 competitors from across the world took SW customer service system was part in the ITU Age Group World Championships. inundated at that time and unfortunately it Gavin qualified for the Great Britain squad, in the meant that some customers had to go longer 30-34 age group, on the basis of his performances without water and some did not receive the in earlier competitions in the UK. He completed high standard of response that they should the three disciplines in Budapest in two hours Gavin Rand running in the World have been able to expect. It was not just and ten seconds, finishing 46 out of 111 in his age Triathlon Championships this area that experienced difficulties; SW group and 240 in the men’s open category. received more than 40,000 calls between Gavin went to school in Strathblane and Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and Balfron and now lives in London, where he teaches history at the University of Greenwich. had over 2,200 members of staff working Gavin trains with the Greenwich Tritons Triathlon Club and is currently mulling over the through this period on weather related eleven seconds which prevented his ‘breaking’ two hours, in the hope that they motivate issues to maintain supplies. him for more swimming, cycling and running. 11 The village of Netherton This is the second in our series about the villages of the parish, written by the late Alison Dryden buildings of Wood etherton, which probably means in Place, West Row, Scots “the lower farm”, was located Blanefield Terrace at the Thorn of Cuilt. According and Sunnyside were Nto John Guthrie Smith (The Parish of all erected for the Strathblane), at the beginning of the 19th Printfield workers. century, it consisted of the Smithy, the Wood Place, West school and schoolhouse, two shops one Row, New City of which was the ale house and two rows Row and Blanefield of cottages parallel with the road. The ale Terrace still exist to house, “Jennie’s Inn”, was located where this day though Sunnyside was destroyed While the navvies were in the village, the Free Church Manse is now and the in the 1941 Blitz. The other houses were business was brisk and the new venture cottages where the former Free Church demolished to make way for the housing of the shop prospered. Unfortunately the stood. The two cottages, one now known development in 1960 at what is now Blane venture suffered difficulties when the as Netherton Cottage and the adjacent one, Crescent etc. On the Valuation Roll of 1880 Second Aqueduct was completed as a large apparently date from the middle of the l8th there was a total of 88 houses recorded for part of the trade left and it took a number of century. This was the site of the Netherton these streets and if it is assumed there was years before it returned to profit. Farm and it is likely that these houses were on average 4 people to a house, some idea the farm buildings. Where the Water Board can be gained of the density of population. s regards the name “Blanefield”, House is now was the site of stables and Amatters were sealed with the opening a barn. Jenny Brash gave her name to the ith the closure of the factory in 1898, of the Railway in July 1867. Initially the Netherton Burn and Glen which are also Wthe population decreased from 1,671 station was to be named “Cult” but it was known as Jennie’s Burn and Glen and also in 1891 to 880 in 1901. After the departure decided that there were too many stations the “lum” far away on the top of the hills of many of the Printfield workers, houses named Cult and instead, it was called which still “reeks” furiously when the burn were left empty and one could get the “Blanefield” after the Blane Printfield. is in spate and the wind is blowing in a choice of a room and kitchen for as little As a result the whole neighbourhood south westerly direction. Little is known as two shillings and sixpence per week. became known as Blanefield with the about who this lady was. After a while these houses were taken name Netherton all but vanishing though up by Glasgow people who used it continued to be used as in the Netherton them as holiday homes. After Inn. Indeed, the name Blanefield has 1936, they were renovated and assumed an importance that was never brought up to modern standards intended and it now denotes the Postal and with inside conveniences such Telephone district. as water and sanitation installed. Until the housing developments of the Prior to that outside privies were 1960s, Strathblane and Blanefield were the order of the day and water was quite separate. With the development of the fetched from standpipes. After the various housing estates and the realignment last war, these houses were sold of the main road, it is now quite difficult Jenny’s lum off individually as they became to establish where Strathblane ends and vacant and are privately owned. Blanefield begins. It is generally accepted In 1895, the shops at Netherton that the Kirkburn, which flows down from As the Blanefield Print and Dye Works were built by Donald McGregor, from the the hill near Leddriegreen along the north expanded and prospered, more cottages proceeds of the money that he had made side of the churchyard to join the Blane in and tenements sprang up. Front row, supplying the needs of the navvies who had the football field, is the dividing line. Wood Place, Back Row, North Row, New come to construct the Second Aqueduct. City Row, Sunnyside, Blanefield Terrace, Initially he had had a large wooden building North Gate, First Palace Row, Second at the back of where the present building is Village Club centenary Palace Row, Third Palace Row, Forth now and the navvies would come up from celebrations Palace Row, Burnside Cottages were all their temporary accommodation at the places where printfield workers lived. The factory on the football field to shop there. n June the Management Committee of the Village Club are holding a few days of fun and games for the village to celebrateI the Centenary Year of the Club. Village Memories: Betty Scott The Club was gifted to the village by Tom Murphy to university in Glasgow and was a teacher the Yarrow family in 1911 and since then in Balfron. She went to Rhodesia in 1948 has been a source of great enjoyment for y grandmother (Annie Death) was and met my father (also Tom Murphy) at the local community, being used for all a housemaid at the Yarrow family Victoria Falls where they were married and kinds of celebrations and meetings as well home in Campsie Dean. She I was subsequently born. I was christened as exercise classes, charity events and movedM to Blanefield from the east end of in Strathblane Church in 1951. I spent many many more. London in around 1910. My grandfather happy holidays visiting my grandmother in We are inviting all of the various was Andrew Scott who was born in Strathblane and my mother would tell me organisations in the village to take part, Glasgow but lived at Ardwall Cottage stories of the family history in Strathblane. in whatever way they can, to help the in Strathblane and had his own joinery Betty died 10 years ago and Jack, who was celebrations reflect the invaluable asset the business and workshop behind the cottage. the last child, died in Australia earlier this Club has been to all of us, old and young They met at a dance at the Village Club year. Sadly I can only remember a few alike. and were married at Strathblane Church on of my mother’s stories, although I recall Please contact our Programme Co- Christmas Day 1912. They had 5 children, the one of my grandparents meeting at ordinator, David Anderson on 01360 Alec, Jack, Elizabeth (Betty), Jean and the Village Club very well, as my mother 770669, and let us know how your Ryner. would repeat the story every time we organisation would like to participate in My mother was Betty Scott. Betty went walked past the Club! our celebrations. See also article page 2. 12 progress through the ranks and transferred The Irish in Strathblane to the Indian Army Ordnance Corps in From the 1891 census, and a further history of 1926; he served in a variety of places, an individual many of which are currently (2010) in the news from Pakistan; Eugene Fay died Donald Fay, N. Ireland managed to make the in 1942 on the Indian-Burmese border. transition to such a trade. Eugene Fay was always called “Jock” and ome research using the 1891 census There were no shoemakers listed I am told he was very proud of his Scottish shows a strong Irish presence in in Strathblane in the 1891 census, so there roots. In a picture from my mother’s album Strathblane, though Coatbridge and was almost certainly a need for such a he is wearing the medals for service on the Sparts of Glasgow are better known for person. Earlier articles in The Blane have North West Frontier (Waziristan) and for their nineteenth century Irish immigrants hinted at the difficulties of working the long service and good conduct. Anecdotal at that time. Over two hundred people with long hours in the printworks; a stint as tales suggest that an orphanage background birthplace given as Ireland were shoemaker must have been a is a good training for the military. resident in Strathblane in 1891, great relief for him. The only I was always brought up to believe and many more who were born shoemaker in the 1881 census thatThe Irish my in father’s Strathblane ancestry for the 1891 was census, thoroughly and a further history of in Scotland to Irish parents. An in Strathblane was Charles Scottish,an individual it was much later through analysis of their occupations McGregor, who was living in studying family history that I discovered shows how the printworks Palace Row for the 1881 census thatSome research my using roots the 1891 on census my shows father’s a strong Irish presence side in were Strathblane , though attracted such workers as and was living in Sunnyside at Irish.Coatbridge It and has parts ofbeen Glasgow so are bettergood known to for discovertheir nineteenth mycentury Irish immigrants at did the building of transport his death 13 July 1886. Neither grandfather’sthat time. Over two hundred connection people with birthplace with given Strathblane. as Ireland were resident in Strathblane in 1891, and many more who were born in Scotland to Irish parents. An analysis of their occupations infrastructure. of the two McGregor sons Itshows is very how the pleasing printworks attracted to read such workers of the as did history the building ofand transport infrastructure. There are some interesting became a shoemaker. John modern developments in The Blane. details to be found in the census Fay also moved from Palace returns, such as seeing that the buildings to Sunnyside. Some Occupation Number of people in this category in supervisor of the platelayers subsequent documents give his Strathblane in 1891 trade as shoemaker. with birthplace stated was the son of one of the gang. as “ Ireland” About one third of the Irish John Fay When he married in 1892 Agricultural labourer or farm worker 6 in Strathblane were living as John Fay moved to Airdrie, and Calico bleacher 1 Calico machine printer 1 lodgers or boarders in what must have then to Coatbridge. His subsequent work Calico printworks labourer 1 been severely overcrowded dwellings. One in Coatbridge, and then in St Helens in Cartwright 1 Cook 1 group of addresses that does not feature Lancashire in England, was as a labourer Dairy maid 1 in modern maps includes “Palace No.1” of one type or another. The long hours and Domestic servant 2 Engine keeper 2 and “Palace No.2” located within the poor conditions in the printworks, and later Factory or general labourer or worker 37 printworks. Other popular places for the in boiler-making tube works and then the Forrester 2 Furnace fireman or stoker 2 Irish included Burnside, City Row, Cuilt Pilkington glassworks, must have been Gardener 2 Road, Edenkiln, Netherton Row, North immensely bad for his health; he died of Housekeeper 1 Living on private means 1 Row, Sunnyside and Wood Place. throat cancer in Coatbridge in 1907 two Mason 2 Perhaps the group of twenty-two months after his wife died in England. Navvy 22 No occupation given or scholar 50 navvies, all lodging at Dumbrock Mill, Three of his children died in infancy, and (mostly wives and children) moved on elsewhere when their work another died in 1920, in her twenties, after Printfield carter 1 Printfield engineer 1 at Strathblane had finished. It would be an unsuccessful attempt at immigration Printfield extractorman 1 interesting to do further research to see to the USA. His daughter Mary Fay Printfield labourer 6 Printfield worker 22 if any written records were left about the emigrated to USA , leaving Glasgow on Printworks fireman 1 navvies and the tunnel miners. 6th March 1909 on board Anchor Line ship Printworks labourer 6 Quarryman and quarry labourer 3 Amongst those who were born in SS Columbia; her Ellis Island immigration Railway platelayer, platelayer or foreman 4 Ireland was my grandfather, John Fay, record shows her aged 15, and was 4 foot 9 platelayer Railway signalman 1 who was a boarder, aged 27 years, in inches tall; it would be good to know what RC Clergyman 1 “Palace No.1” for the 1891 census when happened to her subsequently. John Fay’s Retired merchant 1 surviving son Eugene Fay probably went to Rock miner or stone miner 10 he was a printfield worker; he had moved Steam fireman 1 to Sunnyside by the next year with the the Smyllum orphanage, and then enlisted Stone mason 2 occupation of shoemaker. Further research with the Highland Light Infantry on 20th Surface drainer 1 Tunnel miner (rock) 4 in contemporary newspapers and other December 1919; at enlistment he was aged Unemployed or retired general labourer 2 documents might shed light on how he 19 and 5 foot 3½ inches tall; he made rapid Water works labourer 4

he lands of There are some interesting details to be found in the census returns, such as seeing that the Craigend Castle’s supervisor of the platelayers was the son of one of the gang. About one third of the Irish in C r a i g e n d Strathblane were living as lodgers or boarders in what must have severely overcrowded dwellings. were part One group of addresses that does not feature in modern maps includes “Palace No 1” and “Palace future & past No2” located within the printworks. Other popular places for the Irish included Burnside, City Row, Tof the Barony Cuilt Road, Edenkiln, Netherton Row, North Row, Sunnyside and Wood Place. of Mugdock in C o u n t r y s i d e Perhaps the group of twenty-two navvies, all lodging at Dumbrock Mill, moved on elsewhere when matters on SC medieval times, their work at Strathblane had finished. It would be interesting to do further research to see if any planning schedule but the estate was written records were left about the navvies and the tunnel miners. 11 Feb 2011 sold in the mid- Amongst those who were born in Ireland was my grandfather, John Fay, who was a boarder aged 27 17th century to years in “Palace No 1” for the 1891 census when he was a printfield worker; he had moved to Sunnyside by the next year with the occupation of shoemaker. Further research in contemporary o u n c i l l o r the Smith family. newspapers and other documents might shed light on how he managed to make the transition to Colin O’Brien John Smith such a trade. There were no shoemakers listed in Strathblane in the 1891 census, so there was chaired a (1724-1812) was almostCraigend certainly a need Castle for such a person. from Earlier articles John in The Guthrie Blane have hinted at the difficulties born at Craigend ofSmith’s working the long book hours in‘The the printworks; Parish a stint of as Strathblane’shoemaker must have been a great relief for Cmeeting of the sub- him. The only shoemaker in the 1881 census in Strathblane was Charles McGregor, who was living in committee, set up to and became a Palace Row for the 1881 census and was living in Sunnyside at his death 13 July1886. Neither of the address the future of merchant and the two McGregor sons became a shoemaker. John Fay also moved from Palace buildings to Sunnyside. Craigend Castle, which is located in Mugdock Country Park. The founder, in 1751, Some of booksellerssubsequent documents John give his trade Smith as shoemaker. & Son. John Park’s Management Committee has received an official approach to Smith built a plain Whenhouse he married on thein 1892 estate, John Fay moved but to after Airdrie, andhis then death to Coatbridge. his His subsequent work in Coatbridge and then in St Helens in Lancashire in England was as a labourer of one type or purchase and redevelop the building, which currently is in a very poor son, James Smith, another.incorporated The long hours andthat poor conditionshouse inin the printworks,a much and morelater in boiler -making tube condition. ornate mansion. It works was and designedthen the Pilkington by glassworks Alexander must have been Ramsay, immensely bad in for his health; he died of Stirling Council officials have to address both the planning and what is described asthroat Regency cancer in Coatbridge Gothic in 1907 style. two months after his wife died in England. Three of his children died in infancy, and another died in 1920 her twenties, after an unsuccessful attempt at immigration engineering aspects, associated with any redevelopment of the building, Glasgow businessmanto the USA. His William daughter Mary Wilson Fay emigrated and to USA his , leaving son Glasgow opened on 6th March 1909 on board but potentially also interest from other parties, who may see a future a zoo at Craigend Anchorin 1949 Line ship with SS Columbia; various her Ellis Island exotic immigration animals. record shows But her aged 15, and was 4 foot for the building. sadly it failed to attract9 inches significant tall; it would be good visitorsto know what andhappened closed to her subsequently. in 1954. John Fay’s surviving son Eugene Fay probably went to the Smyllum orphanage, and then enlisted with the Highland Light Infantry on 20th December 1919; at enlistment he was aged 19 and 5 foot 3½ 13inches tall; he made rapid progress through the ranks and transferred to the Indian Army Ordnance Corps in 1926; he served in a variety of places, many of which are currently (2010) in the news from Pakistan; Eugene Our former village policeman becomes a Canadian It is a few years now since Iain Carnegie After holding Permanent Resident roamed around the village with his status for three years, I became eligible Alsatian, keeping the peace as our to apply to become a Canadian Citizen community policeman. He tells us, here, so in April 2009 I submitted my about becoming a Canadian citizen. Citizenship allocation and over a year later (September 2010) I was invited to n April 2005, after having completed Immigration to sit my citizenship exam. my 30 years service in the Police Force, This exam included questions on the (many of them in Blanefield) Caroline Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, andI I moved to Prince Edward Island, Canadian History and Geography, the Canada. On arrival in Canada, I was given Judicial System, the Voting System and a 12 month stay permit to allow me to apply The Federal and Provincial Government. for Permanent Residency. I immediately Thankfully, I passed the exams and submitted my application to Immigration in October was cited to attend the using Caroline (who has Canadian Citizenship ceremony to take the Oath nationality) as my sponsor. In April 2006 of Citizenship in front of the Citizenship I was granted Permanent Residence status Judge. In attendance were 24 other new Iain Carnegie is congratulated on which gave me all the rights of a Canadian citizens, Government Officials, Lieutenant becoming a citizen of Canada. other than I was not permitted to vote. Governor of Prince Edward Island (the I was really happy about being a Queen’s Representative) and two Royal with me and Caroline both working locally. permanent resident but always had the Canadian Mounted Police Officers. Our daughter, Karla and grand-daughter, insecurity of not knowing what position It was a very pleasant ceremony and Heather, are now also living with us so I would be in if something unexpected I was delighted to become a Canadian family life is great. Karla is working full happened to my wife. Would I be allowed Citizen and accept the security that it gives time in her chosen occupation of child care. to stay in the country or would I be me as an individual in this country. The winter sport of ice hockey, which deported? So, now as a Canadian, life continues we enjoy supporting, is now in full swing. David Marshall Lodge Macmillan Coffee Day Macmillan Coffee Day was held on any readers will be familiar with the 16th September at the home of the Visitor Centre situated above Tom and Sheena Turner and once Aagain this was a tremendous success. Not Aberfoyle on the Duke’s Pass road.M Perhaps you have stopped there to only could visitors enjoy excellent home walk in the extensive forest trails, or to baking with their tea or coffee but as the sun buy a Christmas tree or just to have a break was shining they were able to enjoy it (if during a day out to enjoy the view and have they wished) in the pleasant surroundings a welcome cuppa. of a beautiful garden. The building which houses the Visitor A total of £1,060.10 was raised for this Centre is actually called the David Marshall good cause and Mrs.Turner would like to Lodge and this year it is 50 years since thank everyone who attended during the it was donated for the use and enjoyment day or contributed in any way. Special of walkers and visitors. To celebrate this thanks must go to the hard working team anniversary, a ceremony took place on 15th of Mary Marshall, Jane Early, Joe Patrick August which was a fitting tribute to the the Trust the site which the Lodge now and Freda Hamilton for all their work both vision of David Marshall whose name was occupies above Aberfoyle. Anyone who on the day and in the days beforehand. given to the building. has visited the location will surely agree So who was David Marshall? David that the site was well chosen with beautiful Marshall, OBE, MC was Chairman of the views all around. Bridge Club Carnegie United Kingdom Trust from 1950 It was agreed that the building be Doug Ashworth – 1955 and a member of a Dunfermline called The David Marshall Lodge as it was firm of solicitors for his brainchild. Baroness Elliot trathblane Bridge Club is now well about 40 years. The DBE of Harwood performed into the season. Our Club nights, Carnegie Trust is the opening ceremony on 16th on Thursdays at 7.30pm in the well known for its August 1960 when the Lodge SStrathblane Country House Hotel, continue charitable works and was formally handed over to to be fun with often very different results as Chairman, David the Forestry Commission for from the same hands! New members are Marshall gave much safekeeping and development. very welcome to join us for a pleasant thought to the use Sadly David Marshall died ten evening of bridge. To find out more please and distribution of months after the opening and he phone us on 0141-577-9137, or see our their available funds. could never have imagined that webpage on the strathblanefield.org.uk He suggested fifty years on, it is estimated that website. to the trustees that over 7 million people have visited an excellent way of the Lodge David Wilkie is the Manager of the supporting the wider The 50th Anniversary event centre and was responsible for organising community would was attended by members of the event which was fortunately held on one be to erect a simple David Marshall’s family, Angus of the sunniest days of the year. Over the building at a popular Hogg (Vice Chairman of the years David has worked tirelessly to ensure beauty spot where David Wilkie, Manager of the Carnegie Trust), senior managers that the vision of David Marshall has not families could enjoy Visitor Centre. and staff from the Forestry diminished and it is to his great credit that warmth and shelter Commission and a number the David Marshall Lodge has continued and wonderful views. of invited guests from the community. to be a welcoming place for everyone to As they began a search for a suitable Entertainment was provided by the folk enjoy. A booklet marking the Anniversary location the Forestry Commission offered group Helster Gowdie. is also available. 14 A seasider visits the countryside visit to the seaside has long been a favourite day out for families in the villages of Strathblane and Blanefield, Awith the coastal area offering a change from the more familiar hills and fields of the Blane Valley. But have you ever wondered where those living at the seaside like to go on their days out? Ian and Rosemary Wright encountered an unfamiliar visitor to our area recently when they called in at the local cemetery before heading down south for the weekend to visit family. On approaching the grave of their Royal Marine son Gary they could see a black and white bird which neither of them recognised. On closer inspection it was clear that the bird, with its black webbed feet, was a sea bird or a wader. The bird seemed uninjured but unable to fly, so Ian and Rosemary asked daughter Karen and her boyfriend Stephen to phone the RSPCA and explain the situation. An RSPCA ambulance was subsequently despatched and the bird taken A guillemot by Gary’s grave into care. The charity fed the bird up and rested Iain and Caroline Carnegie at the it overnight before releasing it safely. Citizenship ceremony when Ian became a The RSPCA identified the bird as a Guillemot which is found on small areas of cliffs on Canadian citizen. the south coast of England, very locally on the coasts and islands of Wales and in a handful of places in the north of England and Northern Ireland; more widely spread on Giddy heights: Sarah Gibson and friends do not cliffs of Scotland. RSPB nature reserves such as Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire, appear to suffer from vertigo. Some of us may feel that Fowlsheugh in Grampian and Marwick Head in Orkney have large colonies. way just looking at these photos. See page 25. In winter it is widespread around UK coasts but usually well offshore. It comes to land only to nest, spending the rest of its life at sea, where it is vulnerable to oil spills. It is sometimes seen inshore after gales or passing by longer headlands. The most likely explanation for this Guillemot arriving in the Blane Valley was that it had been blown well off course; however the marine connection was not lost on the Wright family!

A day on the beach seems a bit safer. Fiona Aborida took the horses to Irvine for the day last summer and enjoyed the sun and sea. Enjoying a very successful day at the 40th Anniversary Horse Show with Little Boy Blue was Jeanie Brown who was placed 3rd in Pony Club Pony, won the mini games, 5th in Horse and Hound and even paraded in fancy dress (along with her dog Corrie). See page 23. 15 Children In Need, Friday 18th November

On “Children in Need” day pupils of primaries 1–6 and staff arrived at school wearing their night attire. They raised £238.98.

Primary 7 couldn’t bear to dress up as they were a bit too old for that.

Primary 3 organised a Bring and Buy Sale in the school in November because they Campbell and Jimmy Gibson getting were doing a topic on Toys and Games. They raised £322 which was divided between ahead at the Guide Sale in October and, in Children in Need and the school (see page 29). order to get ahead, you need.... yes, a hat! 16 Above: This is not one of those ‘Where am I’ questions that Alastair Smith tantalises us with. These are the two pillars at the entrance to the KGV playing fields at the foot of the Ash Track. They are in a poor state of repair and there is no one at Stirling who knows how to restore and preserve them. Something needs to be done soon before they deteriorate any further and the detail is completely lost. Do we have any experts in the community who know what to do? Please get in touch if you can help.

Above right: Douglas Flynn, Countryside Ranger, and Bruce Taylor clean up the burn at the foot of the Ash Track. Bruce was doing voluntary service as part of his Duke of Edinburgh silver award.

Featuring:  The Clan (bike stunts)  Inflatables  Dog show  Arts and Crafts  Pony rides  Beer tent  Games stalls  Activity stalls  Face painting ave you ever visited the Bracklinn Falls above Callander? If  Tea room Hnot, now is a good time to have a great walk (not too long) and  BBQ see something spectacular. The community of Callander recently celebrated the official Something for Everyone! opening of the new Bracklinn Falls Bridge. The popular beauty spot around the gorge has been without a bridge since flash floods washed away the original in 2004. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park worked closely with Callander Community Development Trust to find a replacement although the rural location of the site made it impossible to use traditional installation methods including crane and helicopter options. A team of two contractors winched the 20metre steel and timber structure into place by hand. The bridge has a distinct copper roof and is designed using locally sourced Larch and four Douglas Fir tree trunks each measuring 12 metres long. In total, the structure weighs 20 tonnes and took over 3,000 man hours to install. 17 Pine martens: coming to a garden Manse Lane and near you cycleway local farmer noticed that his chickens were not laying as manyA eggs as they normally did and suspected a thief of the wildlife variety. He set a trap and caught this beautiful pine marten. He later released it in the woods not too far from the This egg-stealer was farm. A member of the The Blane’s editorial released shortly after this team was walking home in Kirkland photo was taken. Avenue late one evening last autumn, when, passing a neighbour’s house, he Earlier this year Stirling noticed that their family cat was paying a great deal of interest to a clump of heather. Council upgraded the Manse Every now and then a “screeching noise” Lane (top right) and the was heard from this clump. cycleway. Curious, he lifted the edge of the The work covered about heather. A rather annoyed pine marten 1.2km and cost around was crouching there. As they have very £40,000. Some bits were fairly distinctive markings he has no doubt it was simple such as just scraping a pine marten. off the debris and then laying Though they look nice and cuddly, they are not, so he walked away content that it tarmac; and others, really just could look after itself. Shortly afterwards the Manse Lane, needed much it shot out from the heather, and through a more construction (flattening a hedge. The cat could not follow it. path, making a base course and There have been reports of other then the tarmac). sightings in and around the village of pine You can now see the martens. Once their numbers were declining tarmac sections done by the but now they appear to be growing again. The Stirling Observer carried an article Council in the past, and East recently commenting on the spread of these Dunbartonshire two years ago, beautiful animals in the area. all joined together.

18 News from Glendrick Roost Mione Morrison several old ladies by sitting on their Thank you to all knees and being cuddled. the helpful people hristmas is now a distant memory We rescued a beautiful Jack donkey who were able to and the nights are stretching fast. a couple of weeks ago as first of all, he feed our animals The animals at Glendrick Roost on was going to be shot, then he was moved when I couldn’t Cthe whole managed with the cold weather. to a farm which already had a Jack get to them. We have unfortunately lost a few to old donkey, where he was, understandably, F u nd r a i si ng age and the cold combined. One of our attacked and so he came to us. We have venues for the Pot-bellied pigs, Tiggywinkle died at the named him Muffin. Though not having coming year are age of ten. She had been slowing down been handled very much and being being worked and losing a bit of weight for a while but very timid I know that with love and out and some it is still upsetting when one of the animals slow training he will become a much Muffin the donkey was visits to Dobbies die. Miss Piggy, her sister, is doing well loved and valued member of our little rescued from being shot. garden centres although she needed a friend as I don’t think donkey herd. have already been it is fair for any herd animal to be kept on The tortoises, Shelley, Orion, booked. We are its own. I went to see 6 beautiful rescued Eros and Troy are all putting on weight going to the Glasgow vet school Rodeo in micro x pigs all black and tan but as they – thankfully, not all at the same rate. April for the first time. We have never been were already bigger than Miss Piggy and Shelley is putting on the most and would able to get in before so are looking forward were still growing I had to say no. So much eat constantly if allowed. Like to a new event and a different set for “micro” pigs! We have now however all animals, a small amount at a of people to approach for funds. managed to help two adorable Kune Kune time is best so he is restricted in Stands at the usual local shows and pigs. Dumbledore and Hufflepuff, lovely the amount he gets. As they are highland games are being applied four month old cheeky boys. They are both under constant heat, their year for and a Ceilidh dance is being tan with black patches and are without is forever summer at present. organised for Saturday September doubt ‘cute’. Miss Piggy is still out on that. Once the summer arrives for us 17th. Please support us at any/all of She is now fed behind sheep hurdles to all they will be allowed outside these events. prevent the little thieves stealing her food. for small portions of the day to The Christmas Raffle Heidi our beautiful pygmy goat also enjoy proper sun, not the UVB supposedly to be drawn in died after suffering a stroke. I can’t lighting they are under now. Calico, our latest December was postponed until remember when we didn’t have Heidi. We Our latest rescued cat, rescued cat came February due to the bad weather. are very sorry to have her go and she is Calico and her three kittens with three kittens Thank you to all who managed sorely missed. have all been spayed. We kept including Tiogar to help us with raising much Doolish and Tiogar and Felix; above. needed funds. The prizes will be nfortunately we have lost our grazing the third kitty went to live with distributed over the next few days. Uand help at Ballat and have to find Gavin, one of our volunteers. Though we have had the help from a alternative accommodation for the mini few new volunteers, we can always do with Shetlands for the summer. I hope we can e have had a custom made shed built a few more. Several long term volunteers rearrange our other grazing and organise Wspecifically for some of the guinea have left – Charlene has had a little girl, all the animals to be looked after. Once pigs and rabbits. It is wonderful. The Carol is pregnant and Emma is going to we have our own land, even rabbits have the complete floor Australia in May and is trying to make as though rented, we won’t have space to run about in and the much money as possible before she goes. this problem. guinea pigs have a mezzanine If you are interested in sponsoring an The dogs are doing well. round three of the walls above animal, fundraising for us, volunteering or We now have another wee the rabbits, allowing them a just more information please contact me on woof. Very wee. Ben is a long large area to race about in and 07748 351287. Thank you. haired Chihuahua. He is eight this also allows us to access years old and was born with a them easily for cleaning. heart defect. He was used as a We have taken in seven Mailing scam stud dog in what can only be beautiful guinea pigs to add to described as a puppy farm. the number we have already and he Royal Mail and the Trading When he came to us he had been some of them will be used for Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam: rescued from a Chinese couple Newcomer, Ben talks and events. Several wild who spoke little English and had animals have been taken to T A card is posted through your door from is a long haired a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery implied that he would be ‘got rid Chihuahua. He is eight Hessilhead Wildlife Hospital; of ‘ to the lady who took him as one, a tiny hedgehog weighing Service) suggesting that they were unable to years old and was born deliver a parcel and that you need to contact an ‘extra’ when she went to buy with a heart defect. only 265grams. He wasn’t them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate the bitch (Ben’s mate). Ben was malnourished either, just small. number). not housetrained, had bad teeth How he had survived the DO NOT call this number, as this is a and needed castrating but the vet involved horrendous -15deg temperatures I have mail scam originating from Belize. If you wasn’t prepared to operate because of his no idea. To survive winter conditions call the number and you start to hear a heart conditions. She begged me to take Hessilhead recommends they should weigh recorded message you will already have him because she had two young children 600grams. He was a very lucky chappy. been billed £315 for the phone call. If you and couldn’t cope with the accidents in the Another sorry case was a beautiful buzzard do receive a card with these details, contact house. How could I refuse? So Ben came to found by two of our volunteers after being Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655. us. He has since been to the vet as his bad hit by a car. Unfortunately he didn’t make teeth were poisoning his bloodstream and it as, on examination, he had both wings Nuisance calls has had them out and was castrated at the broken at the shoulder, meaning successful There are more and more phonecalls same time to avoid the risk from a second mending was unlikely. now that are designed to part us from our anaesthetic. He came out of it okay and is money by scaring us into believing that we he weather prevented me from leaving have problems on our computers. The callers adorable. I don’t like toy dogs as a rule as can often give us ‘proof’ one way or another. they can be yappy, snippy wee things but Tthe house in the car for a couple of One recently claimed that my computer Ben is neither. He loves everybody [except weeks, meaning I had to walk to do the was registering a fault that he was picking Frodo who keeps knocking him over] and ponies in the village. This meant we up. I told him that he was a thief and that without a doubt will become one of the HAD to purchase a 4x4. We now have a he should clear off. It is better to assume therapy team. He has already been to an wonderful workhorse that allows me to get that the caller is a conman and if you are old folk’s home and brought comfort to out and about even when the roads are bad. concerned, get professional advice. 19 Where to watch birds in the Clyde area. DHL

requently I have been asked to Goldeneye and Goosander together identify the best places to watch birds with the occasional Smew. The local in the local area. This is a difficult flock of captive Grey lag Geese are Fquestion to respond to accurately as the often supplemented by additional answers depend upon what type of birds wild ones and rarities such as are being sought, how experienced the Barnacle Geese have been reported watchers are and the time of year under from the area in most years. Pink discussion. Clearly the hobby of bird Feet Geese are also seen on a regular watching can be indulged upon virtually basis especially under conditions anywhere on the planet at any time of year. of prolonged easterly winds when In the local Clyde area there are lots of they can be blown west from their interesting places to visit from Mugdock more usual winter habitat at Loch Hogganfield Loch Park via Loch Ardinning to the tops of the Leven. As well as the water birds Campsies and the waters of the Endrick. many species of gulls can be identified waders in the wintertime. If the tide is too Nevertheless we also have a large range there including sporadic numbers of far in, look for them in the adjacent fields of habitats on our doorstep which can Glaucous and, less frequently, Iceland and if it is too far out the birds will be add additional interest for those intent Gulls – the so-called white further away and more widely dispersed, upon bird identification, photography winged Gulls from their making them difficult to identify. You or distribution. Many people seem unique feature of having can then walk out around the Peninsula to think that bird watching is a no black tips to their wings. along a passable track looking for flocks summertime hobby alone but this is These Arctic dwellers are of Jackdaws, Rooks, Finches, Skylarks and far from the case, indeed many of regular winter visitors Tits by the west of the path. When you get the most interesting sights in the to Scotland in small to the abandoned picnic bench you have a bird world occur during migration numbers – mostly on full panorama of the Clyde ahead of you. or in the winter. To illustrate some the west coast, but There you should see a few Shags and many of these points two sites are worth occasionally inland on Cormorants, Red Breasted Mergansers, considering. These are Hogganfield lochs such as Hogganfield. Mallards, Wigeon, and Eider Duck. Loch in Glasgow (just south of Add to these the resident For those farsighted enough to bring a the main A80 before Stepps) and herons and itinerant flocks reasonably good telescope and tripod with the Ardmore Peninsula (on the of finches and you can see them this is a great place to see wintering north bank of the Clyde between why a visit to this local loch Red-throated Diver in significant numbers. Dumbarton and Helensburgh). Waxwing is a regular habit of most Careful scrutiny of the water will also Both are within easy reach of the local bird watchers. This occasionally bring to light numbers of Blane Valley for a car based day trip even year is turning out to be a bumper year for wintering Red-necked Grebes floating on in mid – late winter. They are also within the beautiful starling- sized Waxwings – a the water albeit at a significant distance easy distance of sustenance and thus well handsome crested pinkish brown species from the shore. At this point it is well for worth a visit. with yellow borders to their wings and all but the most intrepid of observers to tails. These birds normally occur in small retrace their steps back to the region of ogganfield Loch is a wonderful numbers in Scotland during the winter the car park where they will find a muddy Hsite for a gentle walk at any time of but every decade during fierce continental track going NW over to a sheltered bay. year but is perhaps at its best on a sunny winters they ‘erupt’ across the North Sea This bay usually contains large numbers winter’s day when other local fresh water and many hundreds are seen of waders, dabbling ducks lochs are frozen. The loch is almost always both in Scotland and down the Iceland Gull and a few herons as kept open by the activities of the park east coast of England. Already well as large numbers rangers aided by the local flocks of geese this year some 2000 Waxwings of Shelduck with and swans. The frost free areas are easily have been reported from the occasional geese (mostly viewed from the comfort of your car and, UK alone, feeding on early in the mornings). The as the birds are always well fed by local berries and even seen in stubble fields on either side residents and walkers, they are wonderful local supermarket car of the tracks are good for for bird identification and photography. parks. Previously, they foraging finches and pipits Indeed if you are careful to focus your have regularly been reported from and the skies often include cameras on single birds or single species the area surrounding Hogganfield Buzzards, occasional Kestrels flocks such shots can appear to have been Loch. Let us hope that some of and infrequently Short Eared taken in the truly wild parts of Scotland them may decide to settle here and breed Owls. Further out in the bay as well as the and not in a park within the confines of saving themselves the hazardous trip back sea ducks already mentioned I have seen our wonderful city of Glasgow. In the east across the North Sea. Long-tailed Duck in this area most winters. winter especially under such conditions Should you really desire to circumnavigate even the regular observers of the loch can rdmore Peninsula is an the peninsula make sure to try this in very never quite plan which species to expect. Ainteresting geological icy weather or wear a stout pair of rugged Cold weather in the continent will often feature jutting out into soled wellington boots as the terrain is bring species which are uncommon to our the Clyde opposite Port extremely boggy at most times of the year. area and frozen lochs tend to Glasgow and is accessed concentrate the water birds Barnacle Goose between Dumbarton and fter your exertions it is worthwhile into those waters which have Helensburgh via a small Aturn right at the main road (back been kept open. So as well road just west of the entrance towards Dumbarton) for a few hundred as the local Swans; Mute to the crematorium. Proceed yards where on the right side you will (local residents) down this road crossing the find an excellent garden centre with and Whooper Glasgow- Helensburgh, Oban a well stocked kitchen for hungry (winter migrants and Fort William railway bird watchers and their families. from Iceland), a lines at a level crossing before Alternatively you might return via veritable cornucopia of ducks parking at the foreshore. Helensburgh where the supermarket car can be found. Foremost There, if the tide is right park gives an excellent panorama over amongst these are Mallards, (80% in or 20% out) you will the bay and the entrance to Gare Loch Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, see a great accumulation of towards Roseneath Point. 20 Compost Gardening Club corner Mary Brailey At our meeting on 25 March there will What happens to your food waste? eeping cherry trees laden with be a talk on growing fruit and vegetables blossom were the archetypal organically. Elizabeth Normand & Mary Brailey feature of the Japanese gardens featuredW in William Tait’s You can see details of the Daft ditty of the day: illustrated talk to the club’s programme at the club’s page “Still put food waste in your grey bin? October meeting, based on his on the village website: www. Goes to landfill, now what a sin! travels in Japan. I especially strathblanefield.org.uk. Meetings Put it in your kitchen caddy, you won’t be enjoyed the idea that Japanese start at 7.30 pm in the Kirk Rooms, called a food waste baddy! gardening favours the moss Strathblane. Guests are always Caddy, blue box, collection van, can we do lawn, with stray stalks of grass welcome, at a small charge of £2. it? Yes we can!” being weeded out. No more If you want to find out more about reproaches for moss-infested the club, or about becoming a ave you ever wondered what sward – it’s just a Japanese- member, please get in touch with happens to our food waste after that, style lawn! club president Tom Turner on 771433. though? The Master Composter Hvolunteers did, so we visited the processing plant in West Lothian. waste comes in packaged form and has This company has different to be processed as it is. Oddly, they see contracts with various Scottish loads of balls (golf and tennis especially). regional authorities and businesses Currently these foreign bodies are screened (e.g. food factories and supermarket out at the end but in the future it may be food waste). Our individual caddies possible to remove them at the start of the are small fry, but “mony a mickle process (e.g. suctioning off plastics?) – it’s maks a muckle”: Stirling region a developing technology. The end-product households yield around 2–5 tonnes is sold for use on farms. In theory it could of food waste per day, Tues to Sat, be bagged as soil enhancer for garden with Wed noted as a busy day. centres (BSI quality assurance is due soon). They wouldn’t say where the Wed It looks very like Stirling Council’s Castle collection routes are, though. Compost, only slightly drier and possibly Food waste processing seems more fibrous. like a large-scale baking operation, So, let’s keep it heading for that really. As with home composting, a Raw bread dough from a factory was being mixed processing plant, so that all those lovely mix of “green” and “brown” waste with waste wood before being put through the nutrients make it back to the soil to grow is what’s needed to start with. The shredder and fed into the “oven” to bake. more food...and so the wheel turns. better the recipe (fibre size, water content, pH, density, etc) the better the end-product. On the day of our visit, through the shredder and fed into the “oven” raw bread dough from a factory was being to bake. They have to do this quickly on Zero waste mixed with waste wood before being put bread-dough days, or it continues to expand Your Master Composters Mary and like a Dr Who monster. Elizabeth have received extra training The “oven” is a huge on three zero waste campaigns: drum, a scaled-up version Love Food Hate Waste: see of a compost bin at home. these websites for more information: As the drum fills, natural http://www.wasteawarescotland. chemical reactions start org.uk/foodWaste.asp, http://www. to generate heat. Once it’s wasteawarelovefood.org.uk/, http:// full, the drum contents www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/ must reach and spend 6 Stop the Drop: ways to stop hours at 64oC to inactivate unwanted mail dropping through pathogens and fulfil animal your letter box – watch out for more by-products legislation. No information coming soon. external heating required Peat-free compost – why and how – amazing! Winter can be to stop using peat-derived compost on a problem – frozen skip your garden. contents make drums slow For more information email to reach temperature. Any [email protected]. snow cover on skips adds water content too, altering the front-end mix. Routine Allotments tests are carried out for pathogens and heavy metal n 10 January, the Community content. Growth testing Development Trust, on behalf with tomato seeds checks of the Carbon Neutral Group’s that germination rates are OAllotments sub-group, submitted a above 95%, although this planning application to Stirling Council is done afterwards, not in for 23 allotments (with provision for a the “oven”! further 10) and a community garden. The Once “cooked”, the site was the field opposite the entrance to contents are discharged the Scottish Water pumping station along into a holding area. Foreign the old railway. bodies such as glass, Due to considerable opposition, mainly stones and plastics will to the location, the Allotments Group reduce the quality of the decided to withdraw the application and product, but supermarket they are now looking for an alternative site. 21 Volunteering for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at Mugdock Country Park Stuart Macfarlane, The Ranger Service lead Countryside Ranger, MCP the programmes of activities and provide all the tools and he Duke of Edinburgh programme training. We may require has 4 sections, Volunteering, help from parents on activity Physical, Skills and Expedition. days for groups consisting of TYou need to be at least 14 years old to more than 6 participants. The start a Bronze programme and you must conservation work is varied, do a minimum of 3 months activity for interesting and worthwhile. each of the Volunteering, Physical and Pond digging, rhododendron Skills sections, and plan, train for and do bashing, acorn planting and a 2 day (1 night) expedition. tree guard maintenance are You also have to spend an extra three all activities that have been months on one of the Volunteering, carried out by groups recently. Physical or Skills sections. Groups commit to 5 or If you would like to carry out 6 meetings of two and a practical conservation tasks for your half hours over a 3 month volunteering section of the D of E award period. If you are interested then it may be possible to do this at in completing your award Mugdock Country Park. All you need to with the Ranger Service and do is gather a group of 6 or more D of would like to talk to one of E participants together and contact East the rangers please contact us Dunbartonshire & Mugdock Country on 0141 956 6586 or e-mail: Map of the Country Park showing Mugdock Wood Park Ranger Service. [email protected]. stretching diagonally across the centre The Wild Wood of Mugdock Shona Menzies, Highland Way and the Allander Water. which occurs nowhere else in Scotland, Mugdock mid-week volunteer This ancient woodland is made up of a Geostiba armata. mosaic of woodland habitats including: Mugdock Wood is also important for oodland areas are a precious oak woodland on the drier slopes with providing feeding and roosting sites for resource both for people and acid upland soils; the ash woodland along woodland birds, including greater spotted wildlife. Remnants of native with non-native sycamore generally occurs woodpecker, jay, spotted flycatcher, tree woodlandW are now appreciated for their on steeper rockier ground on more base pipit and the green woodpecker. value as a habitat for a wide range of soil types; and the alder woods occur in The ground flora of Mugdock Wood species. The few remaining pockets of wetter soils and are worth seeing because is worth seeing many native woodland ancient woodland are of particular value they have particularly tall straight multi- plants to be found in Mugdock Wood, in this regard. We are lucky enough to stemmed trunks. including alternate-leaved and opposite have an unusually large area of relatively Many of the older trees in the –leaved golden saxifrage, dogs mercury, undisturbed ancient deciduous woodland, woodland have been coppiced in the past. yellow pimpernel and bugle. In late spring Mugdock Wood, on our doorstep. This management technique ensures the the woodland is covered in a carpet of Documentary evidence from estate records production of larger amounts of wood to bluebells. If you are lucky in spring/ indicates that Mugdock Wood has been mill. The single trunk is felled and the tree summer you may see the purple hairstreak under woodland management since at naturally produces several new growing butterfly that lives in the oak canopy or the least the early 18th century, (although the points which in time become several trunks beautiful bee hawk moth. site is noted as a woodland as far back as growing from the one base. The richness and diversity of Mugdock 1600). Mugdock Wood is designated as a The ancient trees are a rare and valuable Wood which make it so valued for its Site of Special Scientific Interest and was habitat in their own right, supporting biodiversity also make it a wild and first noted in 1968. Mugdock Loch and many other species. Mugdock Wood, in wonderful place to visit. There are not Drumclog Moor are also part of Mugdock particular, is rich in fallen and standing many paths through the woodland but Wood SSSI. deadwood which supports a number wear your wellies and wander off path to Mugdock Wood can be found of rare invertebrates. Three beetles are experience it at its best. within Mugdock Country Park, to the worth mentioning Acritus nigricornis and A good website to check out for SSSI south of Mugdock Castle, on the south Cerylon histeroides which are restricted information is SNH.gov.uk and click on facing slopes heading down to the West to ancient deciduous woodland and one SNHi - Information Service Another big cat sighting – and a wee cat n the June 2010 edition of The Blane we carried the story of local resident, Bob Sharp and his viewing of a large cat of unknown species. On January 19 this year, Valerie Currie and her husband David were returning from walking withI their dogs on the Campsies. Their car was parked on the Crow Road near to the hill, Holehead. They had just put their dogs into the car when they saw “it”. David felt it was like a lioness while Valerie thinks it is more like a puma or mountain lion. For more details go to: http://outdoors.caledonianmercury. com/2011/02/10/another-big-cat-sighting-in-the-campsies/001548. nd, on a smaller scale, Maisie (right) disappeared recently for about two and Aa half weeks and was assumed dead. But she turned up and had probably been injured. Iain and Anne Horrocks and family were delighted to see her. She had been cared for by someone and they would like to say thank you and to know what had happened to her. Please get in touch on 770109. 22 Stable chat – the 40th celebrations continue….. Nicci Grieve

s I sit down to write this, the (Low Sonic Drift) the band weather is quite literally beating that Omar Aborida fronts on my window. It’s hovering about and Fiona is chief roadie freezingA and rain is pelting away. The for! Later on as people’s horses have been fed and are either in their “confidence” grew I believe stables or out in the field with rugs to keep some party guests also them warm. I’m yet to eat but am relishing provided entertainment. the memories of the events of 2010. A week later the party It’s been a year of festivity as we went on tour as a trip to celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Irvine was arranged. The Riding School at its current site. Highlights weather was very kind and of the year included an Easter Egg hunt, a everyone had a great day picnic ride, a trip to the beach, a summer out on the sands (see photo BBQ and two shows. There’s also been the page 15). It was a busy usual run of lessons, rides out, birthday day on the beach with lots parties and finally the arrival of the cross- of people, dogs and even country jumps in the field. Guest instructor police horses enjoying the David Harland has become a firm favourite weather. Seems a long time Lauren Dempsey on at the stables and makes regular visits. ago now! Charlie’s my Darlin’ Despite being one of Scotland’s top show (above) and on jumpers he is just as happy to lead the Anniversary show Breagha (right). small ponies around a course of jumps as he is instructing the more advanced riders. he 40th Anniversary Horse Show Easter seems like a very long time ago Twas held in September. It was but it kicked off the fun and frolics for the another fantastic day with lovely weather. year as there was a special treasure hunt Everyone had great fun with some organised by Yasmin Aborida. In the dead youngsters shining in the large jumping of night she hid clues about the area and classes and some oldies gathering courage teams of riders went off in her wake when dawn (mid morning) approached. Enticed by the lure of chocolate the winning team not only answered all of the riddles but also wrote a great poem. Of course the weather is always a factor in these things and the after-ride party ended up being held in the kitchen in order that everyone could dry out! of the day. As is often the case Fiona on Old traditions Emperor Rosco won it although it was hotly contended and Jessica Nicolson s mentioned in the previous edition with Erin nearly kept their crown from Aof The Blane two old traditions were the early summer show. also revived this year: a summer party and a trip to the beach. ll in all 2010 had a very chilly start The day of the party started on a slightly Abut soon warmed up and ended up unusual note as a glamour photo shoot had being a great year at Milndavie. Here’s been arranged with leading equestrian hoping that 2011 will be just as much photographer Adrian Sinclair (www. fun and we look forward to seeing you sinclairphotography.co.uk). Thirteen of all out and about. the horses at the yard were primped and preened and presented in their finery for Jeanie Brown with Megan was 5th in Horse ****** a range of photos with their owners and and Hound in the games. riders. It was a really lovely day and a great little plea on behalf of Fiona way to capture the special relationship that to jump in the small classes. Lauren and horse owners at the stables. exists between horses and handlers. I know Dempsey was hugely successful winning WinterA is still with us and we are all I spent more than I should have buying up the intermediate and open jumping classes feeling a little chilly and hungry but all the lovely photos that were taken of my with her horse Charlie’s my Darlin’ and please be assured the horses are all well horse and me! Adrian has been a frequent then swapping mounts to win the games on looked after. The large bales of hay that visitor to the stables as he practised his art Breagha. Also enjoying a very successful you see outside the fields are monitored here for many years before finally taking day with Little Boy Blue was Jeanie and the horses are fed twice a day. the plunge to turn professional. Brown who was placed 3rd in Pony Club Last winter some people took it upon After the photo shoot the horses were Pony, won the mini games, 5th in Horse themselves to start feeding the horses taken back to their fields and much work and Hound and even paraded in fancy and it caused a lot of confusion and went on preparing the yard for a great dress (along with her dog Corrie see photo on a couple of occasions we ran short. party. There were photos from all eras and page 15). This can be serious as it’s important much reminiscing went on. Old faces met As always the day rounded off with that horses have enough to keep their new faces and everyone concluded that the Diminishing Drums class. It’s a lot of digestion moving. So please, for the nothing had really changed, which was fun and the horses are always excited as sake of the horses, don’t feed them; we lovely. Live music came in the form of LSD it’s time to let off steam and enjoy the end are doing it. 23 The Tall Ship

Sarah Gibson and of course some camp fire sing songs on deck! We anchored off ast summer as part of Girl Guiding the coast of Bute on the first night. UK’s centenary celebrations The As we sailed over the Irish Lord Nelson, a Sea a lot of people LJubilee Sailing Trust Tall began to look a bit Ship, sailed around the green but thankfully UK. I was lucky enough nobody had sea be a crew member on the sickness which lasted first leg of the voyage from too long. Glasgow to Oban. I had One of the most never had any experience memorable days was of sailing before so I didn’t when we anchored know what to expect. It off the coast of certainly turned into an Rathlin island. It was Anchored off Rathlin Island unforgettable 8 days in a beautiful sunny which I grew sea legs and day. We set out in made friends. the dingy boat with picnic to ensure the boat wasn’t moving and There was so much lunches. We had races on the dragging the anchor along. to learn on the first day. beach, chips, and there were We also had to walk around the ship Sailing seemed a daunting even loads of seals! In the every half an hour to check everything exercise involving evening the permanent crew was in order. The best part was the night teamwork and a lot of rope The Lord Nelson, Jubilee members had organised a fridge which was full of food for us to eat. pulling! We were all taught Sailing Trust Tall Ship barbecue which was delicious. I was particularly happy when the cook about bracing the yard, Anchoring off Port Ellen left cheese and biscuits and bowls full of climbing the rigging and on Islay and setting sail banoffee pie! keeping an hourly log. through the Sound of Islay (still without a Sailing into Oban it felt like we had A group of us also had to learn how to cloud in the sky) was also very memorable been away for ages. I knew I was going to evacuate a wheelchair user in the event of an as Jura and Islay were beautiful. I climbed miss being on the boat. We moored at the emergency in which the stair lift could not the rigging (see photos page 15) and even harbour over night before leaving the next be used. The wheel chair had to be attached saw a dolphin in the water below me. Night morning. to a pulley which we slowly hoisted while watches were enjoyable as looking out at My time on the Lord Nelson was an someone supported the wheelchair. the night sky and dark sea was magical. unforgettable experience. The Jubilee We were split into groups each with a I was really good friends with everyone Sailing Trust really does allow people watch leader. It was in these groups which in my watch so there was lots of fun even if of every physical ability to sail on equal we carried out watches. Whilst on watch everyone was a bit sleepy. terms. I learnt so much and made great a member of the group had the chance to During anchor watches there was a friends. take the helm. I first got to be at the helm as lot to be done. The log had to be kept we sailed under the Erskine bridge. every hour. For the log, temperature and here are so many opportunities for The weather was pretty bleak as we left barometer readings were taken and the Tgirls within Guides. I would really Glasgow but our spirits weren’t dampened weather conditions were also recorded. like to thank Strathblane Guides as it’s as we all had welly boots and waterproofs Other logs had to be kept every 20 minutes thanks to them that I have continued with Guides and had this great experience. Community Development Trust news Gordon Ash

and Robert Davy have taken up the Chair and Vice Chair positionsI respectively on the SCDT Board and retired lawyer Ian NLI Fundraising Concert Cheese Hamilton and Wine which is on Sat 14th has been May at 7.30pm - 9.30pm in co-opted Rthe Killearn new church hall, with on as a music provided by the Glasgow String Director. Quartet. Tickets are £12.50 each and can I n be purchased by contacting Vivienne view of the uncertainty Mackay on 01360 771987 or Maureen of the publication date of Back: Robert Davy (inset), Dai Hutchinson, Alan Hutton, Merideth on 01360 440603. this delayed issue of The Ian Hamilton, Gordon Ash. Front: Margaret Vass, Anne Blane, the Board of the Balfour, Jude Gregor, Sue Graves The RNLI door to door collection week Strathblanefield Community will be on the 6th -13th June 2011 this Development Trust has not year, and if any one would like to help out had a chance to meet to agree an update with the collection by volunteering to do a for inclusion in this issue. The Trust is small section of Blanefield or Strathblane, continuing its work for the village and its Vivienne would love to hear from you. support for working groups and the next SCDT Newsletter is scheduled for April. This will be available for Trust members, local residents, on the village website and Extra copies of the in the library. If you wish to contact us or Blane are available in apply for membership the E-mail address is [email protected] the library. 24 to actually perform the rescue or on the southern slopes of Stob Binnein Mountain Rescue search. and Cruach Ardrain near Balquidder. It If the incident is spread over a is always good to train with other teams, large area, such as in the case of picking up tips on different ways to do a search on large mountains, then things and to see slight differences in the this is not enough people to execute equipment carried as well as building up a thorough search. In such cases it the trust required to work together on large is routine to call in neighbouring incidents. The ‘networking’ afterwards in teams to augment the numbers. the pub is also quite enjoyable……… Normally teams under the same Police Force are called out first. veryone will be aware that during the In the case of Lomond this is the Erecent period of heavy snow, travelling Central Scotland Police Area became difficult for a number of weeks. Martin McCallum where the Killin and Ochils teams The rescue team responded to a request operate. We have also participated from Stirling Royal Infirmary to assist with teams, such as Arrochar, with the transportation of patients and his year has continued as the busiest Tayside and Galloway who are within the essential drugs in areas where access year on record for Lomond MRT. control of other Police Forces, when the could only be made by Land Rover and Conic Hill has been the ‘hot spot’ need has arisen. other off road vehicles. We were happy to Twith Ben Lomond also having several help and in addition we assisted a number incidents. Additionally we have been n recent months we have been on a of elderly residents in the village to get to called by neighbouring teams to assist on Inumber of these joint incidents, working the Edmonstone Hall for their Christmas rescues slightly further afield. Teams in with Killin and Ochils on Ben Challum Lunch. Scotland vary in size with mid-20 to mid- near Tyndrum; working with Galloway 30 being the typical number of members near Loch Doon in Ayrshire and as part of TOP TIP in each team. Of these, around a half to a very large operation, organised through During winter make sure you check two thirds can make it to any one incident Lothian and Borders Police, to search the weather and avalanche forecast before but from this number, two to four members forestry areas near Arrochar for the missing heading out into the hills. These can be are required to control the incident from woman Suzanne Pilley of Edinburgh, found at: the bottom of the hill and to provide other whose disappearance was widely covered ancillary support. This can involve driving in the national press. Once a year we have http://www.mwis.org.uk Land Rovers to take groups of rescuers and a joint training exercise involving the http://www.sais.gov.uk equipment to the nearest appropriate drop three Central Scotland teams. This year http://www.mcofs.org.uk/weather- off point. This leaves ten to fifteen people it was hosted by Killin and took place reports.asp Maps ask questions Dr George Farrow

have always found maps fascinating going to look at rivers. about the Blane? – I imagine that’s how I ended up First we have to sort out where all the Now it’s time to go right back to the being a geologist! Maybe you’ve got rivers are – and indeed, which way they are locality where we started our series of aI favourite map flowing. And, articles in the Blane, at the top of Dunglass. – or better still more especially, Look east. Funny isn’t it that the burn an Admiralty where do they doesn’t flow into the Forth, when you look Chart - that you ultimately enter at the sketch map? Something strange is can spend hours the sea? going on at the headwaters of the Kelvin. studying. As a The first Look west. Amazing! Alone among matter of fact i l l u s t r a t i o n the rivers of the entire area, the Blane I often prefer shows a rough is heading northwest – and into Loch to read a map tracing of a Lomond. Eventually the waters head south rather than a regional map and get into the sea via the Leven! book (except, of that I did a Strathblane is certainly a fascinating course, where few years place to live. A l e x a n d e r ago. It shows The second sketch shows how a map McCall Smith is the courses of the area may have looked when the involved!). of the main rivers were in their original valleys, before “Maps ask p r e s e n t - d a y something drastic happened to them. What questions” said rivers between that drastic thing was, we shall look at in Trevor Norton, Ben More and the next issue! opening a lecture he gave about 25 years Glasgow. Now switch the tele off, ago. His first map consisted of a series make yourself a cup of coffee, of blobs around the coastline of Britain get a couple of different coloured illustrating where a certain organism markers and have some fun. lived. This map set him off and running, Using the bolder of the two exploring all the possible ways to account colours, colour in the Forth Estuary for the pattern made by these blobs. on the right and all the rivers that And so it is with the map of Strathblane flow into it. Now use your other and the Campsies. It can ask all sorts of marker and do the same for rivers questions. The trouble is, there’s often so that ultimately enter the Clyde much detail on many maps that it can be Estuary. difficult to sort out the wood from the trees Well – what do make of that? – to get the big picture in other words. In Does it look as though most of the the case I’m going to talk about here, we’re rivers flow eastwards? But what not concerned with woods and trees, we’re about the oddballs? What’s going taking another tack; one that is going to on with the Allan and Devon, for pose some geological questions. We are example? Closer to home, what 25 Sarah Gibson, Beth Grant and Eilidh Howell on Remembrance Sunday Guide Dog demonstration Guide Centenary

Hundred Year cake made by Julie Ross

June 1999 Maggie McGregor, Mykayla Wall, Morven McCallum, Lisa James, Emma Robertson, Jennifer Allardice and Ruaraidh Brown.

Fairtrade coffee morning 2006: Paula Grant, Lynne Wishart, Margaret McIntyre, Beth Grant, Marion Hole, Lynne James and Rosemary Morris.

Heather Ross and Clair Britton (right) and Nicola McLeod (above) 26 Here is a selection of more recent photos of the Guides following our gallery in the last issue, starting in 1997.

We are sorry we have not been able to include all the names.

Above: Catterburn March 1997 Jennifer Green, Carron Rand, Lynn McLaren, Margaret Anderson, Anne Scott, Rosemary Morris, Gillian Hosie, Kate Edmonds and Dione Allan.

Left: Thinking Day in the hall

Below: Division camp 2000

Left: Centenary camp 2010. Front row: Beth, Julie, Lucy, Alice, Grace, Heather, Leah and Ellen.

Below right: Julie Ross, Beth Grant, Sarah Gibson, Eilidh Howell receiving Baden Powell award

Below left: Jennifer Cruikshank doing her promise at camp 2010

27 Primary School Parent Council

Vivienne McKay Plant Manager was very impressed with finale ‘Sports Week’ in which many the knowledge and active involvement of parent volunteers worked together with he Parent Council’s big objective members of the club. the school staff to deliver a week of house last year was to be able to buy an The club is now “dormant” till competitions in various sports. interactive whiteboard for one of spring, but will be meeting again then, on In the first term (August-October) Tthe classrooms. At a cost of around £3000, Wednesdays after school. We are planning this school year we have been running this was no mean feat. We are pleased to to have our stall again at the plant sale, and cheerleading, netball and football clubs announce that we surpassed our original to carry on improving our own garden. For for pupils. Cheerleading and football will target and were able to help with the any information about the Welly Boots, be ongoing throughout the year, and future installation of two interactive whiteboards. please contact either Sheena Mylles or plans include clubs for table tennis, TOPS These whiteboards will be a valuable Cathie Moir. play, cricket, cross country and cycling resource for teachers and children alike. proficiency. The fundraising committee look ast year (2009/10) we established a Already we have had a number of new back to a very successful year 2009/2010: LSports Working Group with the goal parents who have received training and overall we raised in excess of £6700 of providing more opportunities for extra- joined our team of volunteers, although pounds and we wish to thank all those who curricular sports, more opportunity for there is always room for more! contributed to the successful planning and competitive sports and improved sports In order to keep in touch with families running of the various events. The monies equipment/facilities. in an eco friendly way we have the parent raised enabled the Parent Council to donate We were delighted to receive help council website which is kept up to date with toward the purchase of whiteboards, to buy from a large number of parent volunteers, all vital information about what’s happening some much needed equipment for TOP (some of whom received sports coaching in Strathblane Primary School and Nursery. sports activities, and to support school training), and we were able to offer a wide If you are a parent of a child in the outings and Christmas parties. range of extra-curricular clubs including School or Nursery and would like to We hope with the help of volunteers and tennis, cross country, hockey, cricket, have these regular updates sent directly the community we will be able to maintain cheerleading, netball and table tennis as to you via email, please visit http:// this level of fundraising for 2010-2011. well as multi-sports TOPS activities for strathparentcouncil.org and add your email The Primary School Gardening Club younger pupils. in the box on the home page “Add email to – The Welly Boots – with the help of the We also purchased sports equipment join mailing list.” Its as simple as that; we Parent Council, bought tubs for the front of including a line-marking machine for the are delighted to hear from you and if you the school and planted them with flowers gym hall and school sports strips which have any questions for the parent council and strawberries. The children have worked were used by pupils representing the school there is a direct email contact on the site, very hard to weed and maintain the school in numerous sporting tournaments/events. where all messages are collected and garden ground. We introduced house-coloured PE responded to. In the autumn, we had a kind donation t-shirts which have proved very popular of two fruit trees from Dobbies, which were and have facilitated inter-house sports Event for your Diary: Summer Fair 2011 planted in the school field, and the Dobbies competitions– including our year-end on the first Saturday in June. Strathblane Primary School and Nursery get great support from local community Sandra Logan, Headteacher presented with a book. The book gifted to present their products to the “Dragons in us was “case Histories” by Kate Atkinson. the Dragon’s Den” based on the TV series n World Book Day, publishers, However, there were “strings attached”! on Friday 25th March. Our “dragons” booksellers and other organisations We had to promise to give the book away, are three local businessmen who have work together to get children when we had finished reading it. The staff kindly agreed to listen to the children’s Oexploring the pleasures of books have promised to do presentations and give them feedback (one and reading by giving them the this and would like to of the men asked if the HT would provide chance to have a book of their take this opportunity them with the wads of own. Every pupil in school and to thank both Liz cash just like on the nursery has received a £1.00 Ann McKerrell and T.V. – hasn’t he heard book token which can be used Lynne James. about the cutbacks?) in many leading bookshops to The children in They are also buy a new book. If you would P5, 6 and 7 watched working in partnership like more information on World an Authors Live with the Carbon Book Day please log on to www. broadcast featuring Neutral Group to worldbookday.com. children’s author study energy savings Mrs Lynne James, Librarian, “Eoin Colfer”. He by using SMART and friend of the school came was very entertaining meters. The pupils in in to present a World Book Day and inspiring and primary 7 get to use Assembly. Children voted on talked to the pupils the SMART meters for their favourite books by standing up and about how to get ideas to inspire their own two weeks to help them save energy. sitting down!!!! Then Mrs James told us writing. On Friday 1st April thanks to about an event called World Book Night sponsorship from the Carbon Neutral which happened on Saturday 5th March. Group the pupils in Primary 1- 6 will work This was the first ever World Book Night limate Week is a national occasion throughout the day on Eco projects. This with events across the UK being held and for everyone wanting to do their bit will include the “Isle of Egg” Drama and at least 1million free books being given Cto protect our planet and create a secure pupils in primary 3,4 and 5 will participate away. A lady who lives in Strathblane, Liz future. in the “recycling Heroes” workshop. Ann McKerrell, and who has been a supply We are running events during Climate As part of our Eco Schools activities teacher in Strathblane Primary School over Week on 21-27 March 2011 and on Friday we are participating in the National Spring the years, applied for free books to give to 1st April. Primary 7 have been working Clean Event. This will take place in the the staff. Everyone on the staff, cleaners, on Fridays on an Eco Challenge to invent week beginning 28th March. We will catering staff, support team, Mr Thom, the a product that could help us reduce our work with parent volunteers and groups of janitor and teaching staff were thrilled to be carbon footprint in some way. They will children to help clean up our community. 28 Primary School says P3 Bring & Buy thanks and farewell to Sale success Heather Grant Danii Bairner, P3 teacher Sandra Logan, Headteacher n Friday 5 November, Primary 3 t a school assembly on Friday 11 February the pupils, staff, parents, former organised a Bring and Buy Sale in members of staff and invited guests said a fond farewell to Mrs Grant to mark Strathblane Primary School because Owe were doing a topic on Toys and Games. her retirement from Strathblane Primary School. She had worked at school for A16 years. The pupils entertained Mrs Grant and assembled audience with a selection of We sent out letters to our parents and got memories and stories about Mrs Grant as teacher. them to bring in old toys and games for us. She has great love of singing and nature and this was We chose jobs. They were Stall Sellers, reflected in the children’s presentations. This included: Ms Baking Managers, Money Managers, Logan reading a poem called “A Teacher for all Seasons”; P2 Competition Managers, Event Managers sang a song; P4 presented “Mrs Grant’s Lucky Dip!” where Mrs and Advertising Manager. Grant picked out objects and the children shared their memories We had loads of book stalls, games stalls, associated with these objects; P7 shared their “Memories of teddy stalls and baking. The competitions Mrs Grant” and sang “Spring Chicken” which they had learned we had were ‘Guess the Teddy’s Birthday’ with her when they were in P2; P3 presented an acrostic poem and ‘Guess the Sweets in the Jar’. The where each letter of the name MRS GRANT described her winner for ‘Guess the Teddy’s Birthday’ talents and skills; P6 entertained everyone telling the whole was Tara in P1. She guessed January 3. The audience that Mrs Grant had recently become a grandmother. winner for ‘Guess the Sweets in the Jar’ They had everyone joining in with “You Cannae Shove Yer was Owen in P7. He guessed 190. He was Granny Off a Bus.” spot on! We raised £322.42. We gave half To complete the proceedings P1 and P2 sang beautifully the our money to Children in Need. The other “Goodbye!” song. Finishing our afternoon we had P5 singing half went to us. We managed to get a digital “Say Goodbye” then everybody camera, Crazy Talk to do animations and stood and joined in the singing of money for a treat afternoon. We were going this song. to buy a flip video camera but Oscar and his mum gave us their flip video camera so rs Grant received some lovely we can use the money for something else. Mgifts and wrote cards to staff, We really enjoyed running the Bring and pupils and parents to thank them Buy Sale but it was hard work. We want to for their kindness and generosity. do it again at some point. She has gifted the school with lots of bulbs for the school gardens. The P7 Panto gardening club planted these on Wednesday 16 March. images Visit from Under Mirror, mirror on the wall... Water Search Unit Maja Grantham, Erica O’Neill, Dior Stirton and Hamish Mackay at the stall waiting for ‘guessers’ Catie Kelly P3 at the Bring and Buy sale. esterday (8 March) in the should never go on ice unless it is an ice school after break the Under Water rink or a frozen puddle!!! They shared Search Unit came because our story’s about thing’s they had to do in the topicY is Commotion in the Ocean. There ocean and people they had to save. They job is Police Divers and they told us told us about the dangers of what equipment you need to use and they the sea and things. They said showed us a thing you can use for looking you need to be carfull because of the things you could get cot in like fishing nets and they told us how you wold help when someone was drowning and you should not go into the water to help someone and you should throw the ring that is orange and white and you should call 999. You should never go into the water to save someone and it is because the person in the water might be traped in something and you might get traped in it to so that is why you call 999 and A representative from the Under Water Search throw the ring. Unit visited P3 and spoke about water safety. Clockwise from the top: Bad Queen, Jennifer My favorite part was Cruickshanks, obsessed with beauty and shopping; under water, like a teliscope for under when we got to try on the safty water. They showed us what clothes you helmet they wear under water. Snow White, Lucy Taylor, a lovely soft kind hearted wayer and they wear a dry suit not a wet I triyed both of them on and girl; Curtains, Richard Jack, the curtain man suit but a dry suit is suposed to make cold theyer was one with a kind of in the wings; Cronies: Morgan Stirton, Jessica water not tuch you’r skin. sheild and one with some holes Collie, Fraser MacCorquodale and Eddie Wallace, They told us about water safty and you in it for you’r ears. following the Queen’s orders and they love to shop. 29 is well supported by so many, and has a monthly title with a lively and informed Library really important role in the community. We group of people. Every month I look hope that you will all continue to use this forward to hearing everyone’s views and valuable resource as much as you can... (I am always pleasantly surprised by how have often said that .. if you don’t use it ..... wide ranging opinion can be on any one you might just ....) title. Why not come along and find out for Thank you to everyone who came in yourselves what a great bunch they are? or emailed a reply about changing (NOT cutting down) our opening hours. Every The coffee machine in the library is reply agreed that changing our times was proving a great success and, as it is still a good idea and we have passed those chilly, what better way to spend some “me” comments on to our bosses. We will wait time than sipping a nice hot coffee while to see if they can agree. browsing through all sorts of books and Corner As ever, we have so many changes in DVDs and enjoying five minutes of peace? our stock of books that, even as staff, we Isn’t that a pleasure worth holding on to? are fascinated by the wide range of books we are getting from other branches in Lynne James Stirling! Every week boxes are coming Bookbugs & in with new titles for us and boxes full of Computers e have been asked over the books from our shelves are wending their e are now hosting Bookbug Sessions last few weeks, how the public way across the county! It is great to be able Wfor mums, grans and childminders spending cuts might affect us in to ring in the changes this way! to bring their preschoolers to. The sessions WStrathblane Library, and I can honestly say have rhymes and songs, stories and a he Reading Group Session is well that we can’t know for sure. We know that chance to choose books together and share under way and it is a real pleasure there are no plans for libraries to close yet T a cup of coffee together. You are all very to meet in the library and chat about the and we truly believe that the library here welcome to come along! we finish in time for you to pick up any older brothers THEMobile BLANE library and sisters who are at Mugdock school. Monday Fortnightly 3.00 - 3.15 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun f you have never got to grips with 10,24 7,21 7,21 4,18 2,16,30 13,27 computersI and email Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec now is your chance to 11,25 8,22 5,19 3,17,31 14,28 12 have a go! This month we started to hold a series of sessions Stirling Council: Access Your for complete beginners on a Wednesday morning in the library. You can go at your Library Online own pace without worrying about holding anyone else up as we will only have four id you know that you can renew your books, request books and find out which books you have out all from the comfort of your own home? If you have access to a PC you can do all of the above and check your library record by following these Dsimple steps: Logging In In the address bar of your browser, type lib.stirling.gov.uk. You can either click the Login places at any one time. link in the top right-hand corner of the page, or click on My Account tab. Enter your 14 Please contact the library for more digit borrower barcode (the number on your library card) followed by your 4 digit pin details. We have a list of interested people number and login is complete. You may need to email library headquarters to obtain your already but we can always add you to our pin number if you don’t already know it, or obtain it from the library. Email your name, waiting list! address and card number to [email protected] or telephone 01786 432383 and we will give you your PIN. If you are not a member of the library, click the New User tab and follow the instructions. Accessing Your Account and Requesting Useful numbers Books All requests are free, you can choose where Doctors Surgeries you want to collect the item, including from Strathblane 770340 the Mobile Library. You will be notified Killearn 550339 when the item is available for you. (prescription line) 550095 Search the Catalogues has two search Police 770224 options - Standard Searches and More Crimestoppers 0800 555111 Ways to Search. To look for a particular Post Office 770291 author always type the surname first. Pharmacy 770731 Primary School 770608 My Account shows Items Out and Requests Royal Bank 770610 Placed. Items Out will list all items (books, Library 770737 DVDs) on loan to you. It is possible to renew books online but not other items. Bookings The Requests tab informs you of all current Edmonstone Hall 770555 Door stickers are available from requested books and your position in the queue. VillageClub 770113 the library. 30 Plumbing & Heating Ltd

CATHERINE SMITH & CO Beading Mad CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Jewellery Parties Tax Returns Design & make earrings, Bookkeeping necklaces, bracelets Small business tax & accounts Ideal for all ages Ad-hoc advice ****** Ruth Reynolds Catherine Smith ACA, CTA   01360 770989 0141 956 6909 [email protected] mob: 07770596297

8.15pm Village Club

We wish to reflect the views and opinions Stewart Reid T R Electrical Services of the whole community without including Plumbing Services Tommy Reynolds anything that would offend anyone. We BLANE TEAM All Domestic Plumbing Electrical & Air would emphasise that the views expressed and Electrical Work Conditioning Installations in the Blane are not necessarily those of Morag Roy 770863 No job too big or too small  the editor and he retains the right to have [email protected] mob: 07988639981 the final say on any articles included. mob: 07590 843607  0141 956 6909  Murray O’Donnell 770748 01360 771139 [email protected] Disclaimer [email protected] [email protected] While we do our best not to accept advertisements from irresponsible Alastair Smith 770120 If you have any news items, please companies or individuals, we do not take [email protected] contact one of the team or the editor (see responsibility for those that appear in page 4 for details). If you are not confident the newsletter and expect our readers to Patsy Fischbacher 770716 at writing but would like to have an article exercise due care when choosing to use [email protected] in the newsletter, we can help by editing it one of the services found on these pages. or writing it if you give us the information. 31 The rubbish (left) was dumped along the old railway at the junction with the path to the Ash Track. It has now been removed and the surrounding area cleared and flattened to prevent further mess.

Right: the memorial plaque to Alice Keppel in the Church cemetery. The flying fox in the playpark has been a great success, not just with the younger people. Some people of a certain age, have been seen s u r r e p - t i t i o u s l y flying through the air. The shute and the tower have been enjoyed by lots of children and the older folk have just had to contain their envy! Hopefully we can all soon use the picnic tables with the weather to go with it.

S n o w c r y s t a l s on a glove during the freeze.

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